Injury risk behaviours among young Asian New Zealanders: a national survey of secondary school students.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate injury risk behaviours among young Asian New Zealanders.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of data from Youth2000, a nationwide cross-sectional youth health survey conducted in 2001 in a random sample of New Zealand (NZ) secondary schools using a multimedia, computer-assisted, self-administered interview. Of the 9,567 survey participants (aged 12 to 18 years), this study was restricted to students who identified with an 'Asian' ethnic category (n=922).


RESULTS
Many young Asian New Zealanders report engaging in injury risk behaviours, including: not using helmets when cycling; dangerous drink and drug driving; and being intentionally physically harmed by others. NZ-born Asian students are more likely than overseas-born Asian students to report most of these risky behaviours. Chinese and Indian students are less likely to engage in most of these behaviours than their NZ European peers.


CONCLUSIONS
While young Asian New Zealanders are a relatively healthy population, many engage in well-recognised injury risk behaviours. The lower levels of these risky behaviours in Indian and Chinese students compared with NZ European students, and the positive dose-response effect seen in relation to duration of residence in NZ, are likely to be due to the effect of acculturation.


CONCLUSIONS
Injury prevention strategies for young people in NZ need to specifically consider the diversity, context and specific risk profiles of young Asian New Zealanders. Health promotion efforts for this group should target the use of safety equipment and risky driving behaviours and consider traditional cultural practices that may be protective.
Rasanathan
Kumanan
K
International Health, School of Public Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. k.rasanathan@auckland.ac.nz
Ameratunga
Shanthi
S
Tin Tin
Sandar
S
Robinson
Elizabeth
E
Chen
Janet
J
Young
Wilson
W
Watson
Peter D
PD
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D044466:Asian People; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D016487:Parenting; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology