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Trends In Adolescent Risk Taking Behaviors

Shannon BaileyDakota County Public Health

Adolescent Health Coordinator Phone: 651-554-6164

shannon.bailey@co.dakota.mn.us

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Adolescent Morbidity

and Mortality

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Adolescent Health Compromising

Factors •An immature brain

•A thrill seeking brain

•Hormones

•Lack of life experiences

2010 Dakota County MN Student Survey

• Surveys 6th, 9th and 12th grade MN students in public schools every three years

• Survey data is analyzed by the MN Dept. of Education and sent to the school superintendents

• Significance: 3% change

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Substance Abuse

•56% of males and 58% of females reported student use of alcohol or drugs is a problem at their school

•69% of 9th graders reported no use of alcohol or drugs in the past year, a 5% increase from 2007

•Among 9th graders only 14% of males and 9% of females reported using tobacco in the past 30 days; however among 12th graders 44% of males and 22% of females reported using tobacco

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Marijuana Use

9th Grade 12th Grade

10% Males 30% Males

8% Females 17% Females

• 9th grade use was unchanged from 2007

•12th grade male use increased by 6%

•12th grade female use was unchanged from 2007

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Health Mental

Feel stress or pressure quite a bit or almost more than they can take

9th Grade 12th Grade

24% Males 37% Males

38% Females 51% Females

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Health Mental

Feel so discouraged or hopeless that you wondered if anything was worthwhile

9th Grade 12th Grade

11% Males 11% Males

16% Females 11% Females

Suicide (Thoughts & Attempts)

Thoughts of suicide9th Graders19% Males 30% Females

Suicide attempts9th Graders5% Males 8% Females

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Self Injury

6th Graders23% Males 10% Females

9th Graders12% Males 25% Females

12th Graders12% Males 23% Females

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Seat Belt Usage • Wearing seat belts while riding in a car

increased in all grades for all students

• This behavior prevents the leading cause of adolescent fatalities

• Always wear a seat belt while riding in a car

9th Grade 12th Grade

69% Males 70% Males

73% Females 79% Females

Sexual Activity

Ever had sexual intercourse

9th Grade 12th Grade

20% Males 55% Males

15% Females 49% Females

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Sexual Activity

Always use a condom

9th Grade 12th Grade

59% Males 51% Males

51% Females 48% Females

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Dakota County Births to Minors

• 74 births to minors, 4% increase from 2008

• Youngest - 15-years-old (4)• 32% of the fathers were 17-years-

old or younger• A sexually active teen who doesn’t

use contraception has a 90% chance of getting pregnant within one year

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Dakota County STDs

• 990 cases of STDs were reported among Dakota County residents in 2009

• Chlamydia – 883 cases, 146% increase from 2000-2009, 67% among 14-24 year-olds

• Gonorrhea – 91 cases, 67% increase among 14-24 year-olds

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Violence in School

• Bullying experiences peak in 6th grade

• Among 6th graders, 57% of males and 38% of females report they had been pushed, shoved, or grabbed at school

• Gang activity is a problem in their school

20% Males 15% Females (9th graders)

Video Games, Texting, On-line

Played video games 6 hours+/week

43% Males 5% Females

Texting/Phone 6 hours+/week

38% Males 59% Females

On-line 6 hours+/week

22% Males 36% Females

179th Graders

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What Does This All Mean?

•More Dakota County youth are engaging in pro-social behaviors

•Risk taking significantly increases between 9th and 12th graders

•Decreases in percentages of use does not necessarily mean the level of use is acceptable

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Connectedness

The super protector!

Parents

Can talk to dad about problems

Male 71% Female 60%

Can talk to mom about problems

Male 80% Female 90%

Parents talked to me about alcohol and drugs

Male 50% Female 56% 20

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Parents: You’re Not Alone!• Get to know other parents

• Connect with your school prevention coordinators, nurse, guidance counselors

• Talk with your family physician

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Your Influence Matters!• Everyone makes decisions, not always

good ones. No mater your age. • Provide all of the information they need

to make good decisions.• Be there to help them work through the

pros and cons of their decisions. • Give them safe and positive ways to

practice and experience decision making.

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Dakota County Curfew

Under 12Sunday – Thursday 9:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m.Friday & Saturday 10:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m.

 Age 12-14 yearsSunday – Thursday 10:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m.Friday & Saturday 11:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m.

 Age 15-17 yearsSunday – Thursday 11:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m.Friday & Saturday Midnight - 5:00 a.m.

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Have you clearly stated your expectations?

Or have you implied them?

If you want to know for sure, ask them.

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Dakota County Crisis Response Unit

•Phone: 952-891-7171 24/7•Available to come to schools or to homes

•Available for consultation & intervention

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Data Source:

Minnesota Student Survey http://education.state.mn.usSearch: MN Student Survey