Northern Interior Results of the 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey

BC Adolescent Health Survey: Northern Interior ▪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 Northern Interior ▪67% of students reported European heritage ▪22% reported Aboriginal heritage ▪5% of students were born outside of Canada

Home life ▪93% of students lived with at least one parent ▪4% had lived in foster care ▪2% had lived in a group home ▪11% ran away from home in past year ▪23% moved from one home to another

Young carers

Health conditions and disabilities ▪22% of males and 32% of females had at least one health condition or disability ▪Females were almost 3x as likely as males to report a mental or emotional health condition ▪For many the condition was debilitating

Working Note: The difference between 16 or 17 and 18 years old or older was not statistically significant. * The percentage should be interpreted with caution as the standard error was relatively but still within a releasable range.

Technology ▪87% of males and 94% of females had a cellphone ▪Cellphone use was linked to: –More likely to have adult outside family to talk to; –More likely to feel understood by family ▪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 7% of students missed out on needed medical care

Decrease in serious injuries ▪30% seriously injured in past year, decrease from 35% in 2008 ▪49% injured during recreational activities

Injury prevention improvements ▪76% of youth always wore seat belt, an increase from 65% in 2008 ▪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, an increase from 89% in 2008 ▪58% of males and 43% of females always ate breakfast on school days Nutrition

Risky sexual behaviour decreased 28% had ever had sex Among those:  24% used drugs or alcohol last time they had sex  66% (they or their partner) used condom last time  Fewer students reported pregnancy involvement

28% had ever tried smoking Among those: ▪Fewer youth first smoked at 12 or younger ▪Fewer exposed to second-hand smoke daily ▪Males more likely to use certain products ▪52% were recent smokers Fewer youth tried tobacco

Fewer youth tried alcohol 58% had ever tried alcohol Among those: ▪Youth waited longer to try alcohol ▪41% reported having five or more drinks over a short period of time ▪27% drank last Saturday

Fewer youth tried marijuana 33% had ever tried marijuana Among those: ▪Youth waited longer to try marijuana ▪57% had used it in the past month ▪8% used marijuana and alcohol last Saturday

Decreases in substance use

Using other substances 2013 Change since 2008 Prescription pills without a doctor’s consent 13% Mushrooms8% Ecstasy4% Hallucinogens4% Cocaine4% 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%86% -- Were involved in gang activityNA85% Got pregnant or got someone pregnant 71%79% Got arrested61%76% Beat someone up41%64% Used marijuana56%54% -- Got drunk27%34% Friends with pro-social attitudes

Areas of ConcernAreas of Concern

Concussions

Ratings of mental health

Suicide Males ▪9% considered suicide ▪4% attempted suicide Females ▪20% considered suicide ▪11% attempted suicide

Other mental health concerns Most commonly reported conditions Males Female s Depression 7%16% Anxiety Disorder/ Panic Attacks 4%15% Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 9%6%

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

Foregone mental health care ▪17% of females and 6% of males did not access needed mental health services ▪Most common reason was not wanting parents to know ▪More likely than in 2008 to report not wanting parents to know and not knowing where to go

Note : Percentages do not equal 100% due to rounding. 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.

Bullying ▪Increase in rates of male students experiencing teasing ▪Rates did not improve for: –Social exclusion –Physical assaults –Cyberbullying

Perpetrators of bullying

Discrimination & violence ▪Females more likely to be discriminated against because of: –physical appearance, –being seen as different, –age and gender ▪Decrease in racial discrimination among males ▪Rate of dating violence did not improve

Abuse & harassment

Exercise participation ▪21% of students aged met their daily activity guidelines ▪63% of students aged 18 or older reached their daily activity guidelines ▪On a weekly basis: 62% involved in informal sports, 53% played organized sports, 14% did exercise or dance classes

BarrierMalesFemales Too busy37%49% Couldn’t get there or home14%20% Couldn’t afford to participate14%18% Activity wasn’t available in community 12%17% Worried about being bullied6%8% Barriers to participation

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 less 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

Northern Interior Results of the 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey