title: Gender and other risk factors associated with risky behaviours among Nigerian adolescents.
abstract: Risky behaviours in adolescents, apart from substance use, and their associate factors, have not been thoroughly investigated in Nigeria. Hence, there is a need to study the prevalence of risky behaviours and their relationship with gender and other potential risk factors. Data comprising socio-demographic, risky behaviours, personality traits, religious orientation and substance use were obtained from 300 randomly selected secondary school students. Two risk groups (low and high) based on the number of risky behaviours were determined. Male was a risk factor for theft (OR = 2.1; 95%CI = 1.17-3.95), bullying (OR = 2.76; 95%CI = 1.37-5.56) and fighting (OR = 2.14; 95%CI = 1.35-3.40). Fifty-two (17.3%) of the students were of high-risk behaviour group. Furthermore, private school (β = 1.05; P = 0.010), poor perceived relationship with teachers (β = 1.21; P = 0.002), polygamy (β = 1.20; P = 0.002) and lifetime cigarette use (β = 1.07; P = 0.027) were predictors of high-risk behaviour group. Substantial proportion of adolescents in Nigeria exhibit risky behaviours of which gender and other factors play a significant role.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Services, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Electronic address: poppaul2002@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Oluyemi O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Akanni
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olaide N
authors.initials: ON
authors.lastname: Koleoso
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.
authors.forename: Anthony A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Olashore
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ehigiator O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Adayonfo
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Services, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adeagbo F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Osundina
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Services, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olaniyi O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Ayilara
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012574:Schools; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Gender; Personality traits; Religiosity; Risky behaviour; Substance use