Central Vancouver Island Results of the 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey

BC Adolescent Health Survey: Central Vancouver Island ▪Background ▪Positive findings and trends ▪Areas of concern ▪Protective factors ▪Using the data

Administration 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey ▪29,832 surveys completed ▪1,645 classrooms ▪56 school districts ▪325 PHNs and nursing students Northern Interior

Youth in Central Vancouver Island ▪70% of students reported European heritage ▪14% reported Aboriginal heritage ▪9% of students were born outside of Canada

Home life ▪94% of students lived with at least one parent ▪4% had lived in foster care ▪1% had lived in a group home ▪23% moved from one home to another

Young carers

Health conditions and disabilities ▪22% of males and 34% of females had at least one health condition or disability ▪Females were over 3x as likely as males to report a mental or emotional health condition ▪For many the condition was debilitating

Working Note: Not all age differences were statistically significant.

Technology ▪86% of males and 93% of females had a cellphone ▪Cellphone use was linked to: –More likely to have adult outside family to talk to; –More likely to have approached a friend for help ▪Students without a cellphone: –More likely to have slept for 8 or more hours

Positive Findings and Trends

Most youth had seen a dentist in the past year 9% of students missed out on needed medical care

Decrease in serious injuries ▪29% seriously injured in past year, decrease from 35% in 2008 ▪53% injured during recreational activities

Injury prevention improvements ▪78% of youth always wore seat belt, an increase from 67% in 2008 and 51% in 2003 ▪Fewer students driving after drinking alcohol ▪Fewer driving after using marijuana

▪Most youth ate fruit and vegetables ▪91% of youth never went to bed hungry ▪59% of males and 43% of females always ate breakfast on school days Nutrition

Risky sexual behaviour decreased 26% had ever had sex Among those:  21% used drugs or alcohol last time they had sex  69% (they or their partner) used condom last time  Fewer males reported pregnancy involvement

24% had ever tried smoking Among those: ▪Fewer youth first smoked at 14 or younger ▪Males more likely to use certain products ▪49% were recent smokers Fewer exposed to second-hand smoke daily Fewer youth tried tobacco

Fewer youth tried alcohol 53% had ever tried alcohol Among those: ▪Youth waited longer to try alcohol ▪40% reported having five or more drinks over a short period of time 22% of all youth drank last Saturday

Fewer youth tried marijuana 30% had ever tried marijuana Among those: ▪Youth waited longer to try marijuana compared to 2003 ▪58% had used it in the past month 7% of all youth used marijuana and alcohol last Saturday

Decreases in substance use Note: The differences between 2003 and 2008 in youth who had tried alcohol and youth who had tried marijuana were not statistically significant.

Using other substances 2013 Change since 2008 Prescription pills without a doctor’s consent 11% Mushrooms7% Ecstasy5% Hallucinogens5% Cocaine3% Inhalants2% Amphetamines2% Ketamine, GHB2% Crystal meth1% Steroids without a doctor’s consent1% Heroin1% NA

School safety increased

Note: NA means that the question was not asked. -- The percentages in 2008 and 2013 were comparable. Students whose friends would be upset with them if they Change since 2008 Dropped out of school84%88% Were involved in gang activityNA86% Got pregnant or got someone pregnant 71%82% Got arrested62%77% Beat someone up51%68% Used marijuana50%52% -- Got drunk27%37% Friends with pro-social attitudes

Areas of ConcernAreas of Concern

Concussions

Ratings of mental health

Other mental health concerns Most commonly reported conditions Males Female s Depression 6%14% Anxiety Disorder/ Panic Attacks 3%16% Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 6%

Suicide Males ▪8% considered suicide ▪3% attempted suicide Females ▪16% considered suicide ▪9% attempted suicide

Foregone mental health care ▪16% of females and 6% of males did not access needed mental health services ▪Most common reasons were thinking or hoping the problem would go away, and not wanting their parents to know. ▪More likely than in 2008 to report not wanting parents to know and not knowing where to go

Getting enough sleep

Mental health and sleep * The percentage should be interpreted with caution as the standard error was relatively high but still within a releasable range. Note: Not all differences were statistically significant.

Overweight and obesity rates Note: The difference between males and females who were underweight was not statistically significant.

Bullying ▪Increase in rates of: –Female students experiencing teasing –All students being excluded ▪Rates decreased or stayed consistent of: –Physical assaults –Cyberbullying

Perpetrators of bullying * The percentage should be interpreted with caution as the standard error was relatively high but still within a releasable range.

Abuse

Exercise participation ▪18% of students aged met their daily activity guidelines ▪59%* of students aged 18 or older reached their daily activity guidelines ▪On a weekly basis: 60% involved in informal sports, 56% played organized sports, 18% did exercise or dance classes

BarrierMalesFemales Too busy35%50% Couldn’t afford to participate14%20% Couldn’t get there or home17%18% Activity wasn’t available in community 15% Worried about being bullied5%9% Barriers to participation Note: The difference between males and females who could not participate in activities because they couldn’t get there or home was not statistically significant.

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

Youth are generally making fewer risky choices about their health Mental health for females is among the areas of concern, and where there have been fewer improvements Promoting protective factors have and can continue to play a key role in improving outcomes for BC youth

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

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

Grants up to $500 for youth-led projects

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

Central Vancouver Island Results of the 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey