Fraser North Results of the 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey

BC Adolescent Health Survey: Fraser North Results ▪Background ▪Positive findings and trends ▪Areas of concern ▪Protective factors ▪Using the data

Administration 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey ▪29,832 surveys were completed ▪1,645 classrooms ▪56 school districts ▪325 PHNs and nursing students Participation in Fraser North

Youth in Fraser North ▪47% of students reported European heritage ▪33% of students reported East Asian heritage ▪More likely to be born outside of Canada ▪Less likely to identify as straight than in 2008

Home life ▪94% of students lived with at least one parent ▪2% have lived in foster care ▪9% ran away from home in past year ▪23% moved from one home to another

Young carers

Health conditions and disabilities ▪25% of students had at least one health condition or disability ▪Females were more likely than males to report a mental health condition ▪For many the condition was debilitating

Working Note: Not all differences between ages were statistically significant.

Technology ▪9 out of 10 students had a cellphone ▪Students who don’t have a cellphone –Better mental health –Slept for eight hours previous night ▪Cellphone use linked to: –Caring adult outside family

Positive Findings and Trends

Nutrition ▪Most youth ate fruit and vegetables ▪Many still falling short of the recommended daily portions ▪Most youth never went to bed hungry

Breakfast

Risky sexual behaviour decreased Among those who had ever had sex:  31% first had sex at age 14 or younger  22% used drugs or alcohol last time they had sex  71% used a condom last time they had sex

Fewer students tried tobacco 17% had ever tried smoking Among those: ▪Youth were not waiting longer to try smoking ▪14% had used electronic cigarettes in the past month ▪45% were recent smokers Fewer youth were exposed to second hand smoke

Fewer youth tried alcohol 39% had ever tried alcohol Among those: ▪Youth waited longer to try alcohol ▪35% had five or more drinks in a short period of time at least once in the past month ▪16% of all Fraser North youth drank last Saturday

No change in trying marijuana 20% had ever tried marijuana Among those: ▪Youth waited longer to try marijuana ▪51% used marijuana in the past month ▪80% got marijuana from a youth outside their family ▪Fewer youth mixed alcohol and marijuana last Saturday

Decreases in substance use Note: The difference between 2008 and 2013 for youth who had tried marijuana was not statistically significant.

Using other substances 2013 Change since 2008 Prescription pills without a doctor’s consent 11% Ecstasy/MDMA3% Cocaine3% Mushrooms3% Hallucinogens2% Inhalants 1% Amphetamines1% Steroids without a doctor’s consent 1% Heroin1% Crystal meth<1%

Injury prevention improvements ▪Fewer youth had driven after drinking alcohol ▪No change in driving under the influence of marijuana ▪More youth always wore a seat belt in a vehicle

School safety increased

Friends with pro-social attitudes Note: NA means that the question was not asked. Students whose friends would be upset with them if they Change since 2008 Dropped out of school85%87% Were involved in gang activityNA85% Got pregnant or got someone pregnant75%81% Got arrested69%79% Beat someone up57%74% Used marijuana64% Got drunk39%48%

Areas of ConcernAreas of Concern

Concussions ▪14% of youth experienced a concussion in past year

Serious injuries ▪Rates of serious injuries did not change ▪62% injured during recreational activities ▪5% were injured when using a cellphone or electronic device

Ratings of mental health

Suicide Males ▪8% considered suicide ▪4% attempted suicide Females ▪17% considered suicide ▪9% attempted suicide

Other mental health concerns Most commonly reported conditions MalesFemales Depression 5%14% Anxiety Disorder/ Panic Attacks 3%12% Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 4%

Foregone mental health care ▪No improvement for females ▪Most common reasons were: –Hoping the problem would go away –Not wanting parents to know ▪An increase in some reasons for not accessing help

Getting enough sleep Note: The differences between males and females who slept for 7 hours or 8 hours were not statistically significant.

Mental health and sleep Note: Not all differences were statistically significant.

Increases in some forms of bullying ▪Students more likely to be teased ▪Females more likely to be socially excluded ▪No change in physical assault ▪No change in cyberbullying

Perpetrators of bullying

Overweight and obesity rates

Exercise participation decreased ▪15% of students aged met the daily activity recommendations ▪More older youth (aged 18 or 19) reached their guidelines ▪Participation in organized sports, informal sports and dance and aerobics decreased from 2008

Barriers to participation BarrierMalesFemales Too busy42%53% Couldn’t get there or home13%20% Couldn’t afford to11%19% Activity wasn’t available in community 11%14% Worried about being bullied3%7%

Protective FactorsProtective Factors

School connectedness Positive family relationships Caring adults outside the family Someone to turn to for help Established Protective Factors

Peer relationships Good nutrition Feeling engaged and valued Stable home Established Protective Factors

Eight or more hours of sleep Neighbourhood safety Community connectedness Cultural connectedness Protective Factors

There are many improving trends in the health of Fraser North youth Sleep, bullying and mental health are some areas of concern Promoting protective factors has played and can continue to play a key role in improving outcomes for Fraser North youth

56 school district data tables 16 HSDA reports Growing Up in BC Sexual health report Youth resources Using the Data

Discussing the results ▪Commentary on the AHS findings from: –Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Representative for Children and Youth –Bob Lenarduzzi, President, Vancouver Whitecaps. –And more! ▪Video on McCreary’s YouTube channelVideo on McCreary’s YouTube channel

Next Steps ▪Youth-led projects or initiatives In Our Shoes ▪Bullying awareness video ▪

Grants up to $500 for youth-led projects

Fraser North Results of the 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey