Youths’ Health Behaviors in Bangkok - การศึกษาพฤติกรรมสุขภาพของเยาวชน ในเขตกรุงเทพมหานคร

บทคัดย่อ

                       This survey was to study the health behaviors of youths in primary schools and the policies, rules, regulations, as well as teaching-learning activities related to health promotion of the educational institutions in Bangkok.  The study was conducted in 400 adolescents aged 11-15 years.  A set of pretested questionnaire was used in collecting data on health behaviors from schoolchildren; and an interview was used for collecting information on the environment related to health promotion.  The statistical methods employed, included chi-square, t-test, and univariate analysis.  The study revealed that some youths still practiced inappropriate health behaviors, such as inappropriate food intake, smoking, drinking, and unsafe driving.  Besides, it was found that the youths of different sexes and ages differed significantly in overall health promotion behaviors.  Moreover, it was found that there were still a large room for improvements and support of their policies, regulations, services and teaching-learning activities regarding health promotion.  It is further recommended that a school health promotion program should be based on the concepts and framework guided by the World Health Organization with additional site-specific implementing strategies.

Key words:      health behaviors, youths