Targeting injury prevention strategies to adolescents of Pacific Islander descent: What will work? Rebekah Chapman, Dr Lisa Buckley, Prof Mary Sheehan Presented by Dr Lisa Buckley
Research summary Ethnicity rarely considered in injury prevention program design Pacific Islander students: –Less alcohol use –More violence and transport risks/injuries –School connectedness protective factor Prevention programs should target school connectedness and focus on violence and vehicle risks
Research background & aim Participation in injury risk behaviour varies according to adolescents’ ethnicity Aim: to determine patterns of injury & risk behaviour, and risk & protective factors, specific to Pacific Islander students Inform appropriate prevention strategies
Methodology 875 year 9 students (13-14 years): –71 identified as Pacific Islander (n=38 male) Surveyed during health classes Survey included scales assessing: –Injury –Risk taking behaviour –Relationships (parents, peers, school, police)
Results: Injury and risk behaviour Males Females InjuriesRisk behaviour Injuries Risk behaviour *Includes driving, passenger and motorcycle injuries/risks
Pacific IslandersOther background Variable B Adj R²B Sex Peer pressure ** Maternal attachment Paternal attachment School connectedness * * Attitudes to police ** Dependent variable: Total risk taking score (violence, vehicle & alcohol) Results: Risk/protective factors *p<.05, **p<.001