2005-12-31-世界卫生组织-2006_GSHS_Country_Report_Uruguay_17页_592kb

Summary of ENCUESTA MUNDIAL DE SALUD ESCOLAR (GSHS) Uruguay 2006

Introduction

The Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) 2006 in Uruguay assessed health behaviors and risk factors among adolescents aged 12-16 in secondary education. Conducted by the Ministry of Public Health, the survey used a two-stage sampling method to achieve a representative sample of 3,406 students from public and private schools. Key aspects include measuring behaviors related to major causes of disease and death, such as diet, physical activity, substance use, and mental health.

Methodology

• The target population was students in Cycle Basic and 1st year of Bachillerato.
• Data collection involved self-administered questionnaires and was implemented from 2006.
• Sampling design: Two-stage process with schools selected proportional to student enrollment, and classes randomly chosen for participation.
• A total of 100 schools were surveyed, leading to the final sample size of 3,406 students.

Key Findings

Biological Factors

• 14.8% of students were at risk for overweight based on BMI percentiles.
• 2.2% had overweight, with higher rates in males.
• These estimates based on self-reported height and weight may vary from standardized measurements.

Dietary Habits

• Only 42.6% consumed fruits and vegetables 5+ times daily, showing poor healthy eating habits.
• High prevalence (56.1%) of daily soda consumption and 10.6% eating fast food ≥3 times weekly.
• 2.2% reported hunger due to insufficient home food; higher in males (2.2% vs. 0.8% females).
• Healthy habits decline with age, linked to reduced fruit/vegetable intake and greater autonomy.

Hygiene Practices

• 88.7% brushed teeth at least twice daily, but only 69.8% used soap when washing hands, with females and younger students having better hygiene.
• 73.9% washed hands before eating; 86.6% after using the toilet, varying by gender, school location, and education level.

Physical Activity

• Sedentary behaviors are high, with 51.1% engaging in screen time ≥3 hours/day without counting school hours.
• Only 64.6% of students met typical PE curricular requirements; extracurricular activity is less common among females.
• 7.8% did no physical activity; use of vehicles without seatbelt increases to 48.5%, highlighting safety concerns.

Sexual Health

• 28.5% of students were sexually active by age 16, with males engaging more frequently at younger ages.
• 86.5% reported condom use in last encounter; males more likely (91.9%) than females (79.3%).
• Mental health concerns about pregnancy (females) vs. STI prevention (males) differ by gender.
• 52% easiest to access condoms through pharmacies; 18% unsure or uninformed about sources.

Tobacco Consumption

• 63% never smoked; 19% smoked, with higher rates among females (21.8% vs. 15.6% males).
• Smoking increases with age: up to 17.7% at ages 13-15 and 32.5% at 16+, with 16.5% of females attempting to quit vs. 10.3% males.
• Exposure to secondhand smoke correlated with higher smoking rates; students with both parents smoking had 30.6% smoking prevalence.

Alcohol Use

• 68.5% tried alcohol at least once; 60% consumed in the last month; risky behavior peaks at 16 years.
• 33.3% got drunk at least once, with 32.8% facing problems due to alcohol, higher in males.
• Common sources: commercial establishments for older students; home for younger, indicating normative changes.

Illicit Drug Use

• 9.9% used marijuana; 5% used other drugs, with usage increasing by age, peaking at 7.4% at 16 for other drugs.

Mental Health

• High tristesse/depression prevalence (17.8%) and lack of self-conformity (12.2%) noted; females had worse outcomes.
• Lower anxiety rates, but overall mental health problems were most severe in female students.

Violence Exposure

• 21.8% experienced intimidation in the last month; physical fights common (31.4%), higher in males.
• 19.1% suffered physical attacks; 7.3% involved in violent groups, again male-dominated.

Accident Proneness

• 26.1% suffered serious injuries in the last year, including sports-related (12.1%) and accidental injuries.
• High risk of traffic accidents linked to lack of seatbelt use (48.5% among motorized vehicle users).

Parent-Child Relationship

• 29.6% missed classes without parental permission; 37.6% reported little parental oversight of homework.
• Concerns about communication: 23.8% felt parents unresponsive to problems, and 18.8% reported lack of knowledge on leisure activities.

Overall, the survey highlights significant risks in diet, substance use, mental health, and safety, suggesting needs for targeted interventions to improve adolescent health outcomes.