The 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Vermont Department of Health Agency of Human Services September 27, 2005

The 2005 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey Measures the prevalence of behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death, disease, and injury Enables us to: Monitor trends Compare VT to US Plan, evaluate and improve community and school programs that prevent health problems and promote healthy behavior Over 31,000 VT students participate

The 2005 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey METHODS Statewide Sample Sampling: Twenty Vermont high schools of varying sizes, along with their 29 associated middle schools were randomly selected for the state sample Response rates: Forty-six of the 49 sampled schools participated. School response rate was 94% Student response rate was 77% The overall response rate was 72% (.94 X.77 =.72)

The 2005 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey METHODS (cont’d) Volunteer Sample Sampling: All remaining VT schools with students in grades 8–12 were invited to participate Response rates: Of the 150 public schools invited,138 participated (92%) A total of 31,617 public school students participated (79% of VT’s total ‘04–‘05 enrollment)

The 2005 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey DATA COLLECTION One staff person (school coordinator) per school attends YRBS administration training School coordinator is responsible for training all teachers to administer the YRBS Questionnaires are administered by teachers during an extended homeroom session or during a period when a regular class is cancelled for the day Students are instructed that participation is completely voluntary

The 2005 Vermont Youth Risk Behavior Survey DATA COLLECTION (cont’d) At each school, all students complete the questionnaire during the same time period (except under extenuating circumstances) Completed questionnaires are placed in a large envelope, sealed, and sent directly to data contractor without anyone at the school seeing them Questionnaires are received by data contractor who codes them by school only

Violence Fewer students plan suicide 11% of students made a suicide plan during the past year, down from 16% in % of girls made a suicide plan vs. 8% of boys, and 9% of girls actually attempted vs. 4% boys

Violence Physical fighting is down from % of students fought, down from 45% in 1993; but unchanged from 29% in % of students were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property, similar to 8% in % of boys carried weapons to school down slightly from 19% in % of students were hit, slapped, or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend, similar to 8% in % of students were bullied, and 21% someone during the past 30 days

Physical Fighting in Vermont 1993–2005 Percent of students who were in a physical fight during the past 12 months

Driving Riding in a car with a drinking driver down. Drinking and driving unchanged. 22% of students rode with a drinking driver, compared to 26% in % of students have driven when drinking alcohol, unchanged from 10% in % rode with a driver who had been using mj, compared to 30% in % of students have driven when using mj, compared to 16% in 1999

Drinking and Driving in Vermont 1993–2005 Percent of students who during the past 30 days drove a car or other vehicle when they had been drinking alcohol

Driving and Marijuana Use in Vermont 1993–2005 Percent of students who during the past 30 days drove a car or other vehicle when they had been using marijuana

Driving Safety belt use is up. 83% of students always or almost always wore a safety belt when riding in a car, up from 77% in % of students always or almost always wore a safety belt when driving a car, up from 83% in 1999

Smoking Cigarette smoking continues to decline. More students disapprove of smoking. 16% of students smoked, down from 31% in % of students smoked prior to age 13, down from 28% in % of students report that it is easy to get cigarettes, compared to 74% in % of students think it is wrong to smoke cigarettes, up from 57% in 1999

Cigarette Smoking in Vermont 1993–2005 Percent of students who smoked cigarettes during the past 30 days

Alcohol Alcohol use is declining. Still too many teens drink alcohol. 37% of students drink alcohol, down from 46% in % of 8 th graders think it is wrong to drink alcohol, up from 64% in % of students binge drink, down from 29% in 1999

Alcohol Use in Vermont 1993–2005 Percent of students who drank alcohol during the past 30 days

Marijuana Use Marijuana use is declining. More students disapprove of marijuana use. 22% of students used marijuana, down from 32% in % of 8 th graders think it is wrong to use marijuana, up from 73% in 1999

Marijuana Use in Vermont 1993–2005 Percent of students who used marijuana during the past 30 days

Other drugs Cocaine, methamphetamine, hallucinogen use declining. Heroin use unchanged. 6% have ever used cocaine, down from 9% in % have ever used methamphetamines, down from 10% in % have ever used hallucinogens, down from 20% in % have ever used heroin, unchanged from 4% in % of students know an adult who uses illegal drugs and 31% know an adult who sells illegal drugs

Sex Over one-third (36%) of students have had sex. 65% of students who are sexually active used a condom during their most recent sexual experience, up slightly from 60% in % of students who are sexually active use alcohol or other drugs before sex, down from 31% in 1999

Sexual Intercourse in Vermont 1993–2005 Percent of students who have ever had sex

Diet Less students eat enough fruits and vegetables. 24% of students eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day, down from 33% in 1999

Exercise Less students take PE every day. 14% of students take PE five days a week, down from 24% in % of students exercise aerobically three or more times per week, similar to 64% in % of students spend three or more hours per school day watching TV, playing video games, or using the computer for fun, similar to 35% in 2003

Youth assets Most students talk to their parents about school. 78% of students said their parents talked with them every day or week, up slightly from 74% in % spend 1 or more hours per week participating in clubs/organization, similar to 28% in % spend 1 or more hours per week volunteering their time, similar to 45% in % have an adult in their life they can turn to for help and advice

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