title: Factors associated with health risk behavior among school children in urban Vietnam.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Health risk behavior among young people is a public health problem in Vietnam. In addition, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for those aged 15-29 years. The consequences can be devastating for adolescents and their families, and can create a significant economic burden on society.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify protective and risk factors that may influence three health risk behaviors among school children: suicidal thinking (ST), drinking alcohol (DA), and underage motorbike driving (MD).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey of 972 adolescents (aged 12-15 years) was conducted in two secondary schools in Hanoi, Vietnam. The schools were purposely selected, one each from the inner city and a suburban area, from which classes (grade 6 to 8) were randomly selected. All students attending classes on survey days took part in the survey. The anonymous, self-completed questionnaire included measures of risk behavior, school connectedness, parental bonding, and other factors. Multivariable regression models were used to examine associations between the independent variables and the three health risk behaviors controlling for confounding factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Young people in the inner city school reported a higher prevalence of all three risk behaviors than those in the suburban area (ST: 16.1% [95% confidence interval, or CI, 12.9-19.3] versus 4.6% [95% CI 2.7-6.5], p<0.001; DA: 20.3% [95% CI 16.8-23.8] versus 8.3% [95% CI 5.8-10.8], p<0.001, and MD: 10.1% [95% CI 7.4-12.8] versus 5.7% [95% CI 3.6-7.8], p<0.01). School connectedness and mother and father care appeared to be significant protective factors. For males, bullying in school was associated with suicidal thoughts, whereas for both males and females, school connectedness may be protective against suicidal ideation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports findings from other nations regarding suicidal thoughts and alcohol use, and appears to be one of the first to examine risk and protective factors for MD. Health promotion within schools should be introduced to improve students' feelings of connectedness in combination with communication and education campaigns focusing on parental care and engaging teachers for the promotion of safer, supportive school environments.
authors: Center for Health and Community Development, Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, Hanoi, Vietnam. phuongtb@healthCD.org
authors: Tran Bich
authors: TB
authors: Phuong
authors: Nguyen Thanh
authors: NT
authors: Huong
authors: Truong Quang
authors: TQ
authors: Tien
authors: Hoang Khanh
authors: HK
authors: Chi
authors: Michael P
authors: MP
authors: Dunne
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D058445:Bullying; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D009049:Motorcycles / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014744:Vietnam
keywords: Vietnam; protective factor; risk behavior; risk factor; school children