Risk behavior in adolescent students in Santiago de Chile Conductas de riesgo en adolescentes escolares de Santiago de Chile.

Abstract

Aiming to measure the prevalence of risky behaviors, familial disturbances and their interrelations, a probabilistic sample of 1904 teenagers (aged 15.5 +/- 1.8 years, 42% male) was surveyed using and anonymous and self applied questionnaire. Fifty two percent of the sample smoked, 54% consumed alcohol, 12.5% marihuana, 3.2% amphetamines, 2.3% cocaine, 0.8% inhalants and 5.3% other drugs. Thirty two percent smoked frequently (monthly, weekly or daily); frequent alcohol, marihuana, amphetamines, cocaine and other drug consumption was found in 15.5, 5, 1.4, 0.4 and 1.4% of the sample. Substance abuse, except cigarette smoking was more prevalent among males. Substance abuse was more frequent among people over 15 years old. As to unsociable behaviors, 24% of teenagers referred vandalism in the last 24 months, 44% individual aggressions and 14% robbery. Twenty nine percent had school absenteeism. Parental separation, psychiatric treatments and treatments for alcoholism were present in 22, 6