Injuries are now a major cause of death and disability among the adolescents in the world. Road accidents are the main cause of death of young men worldwide. The objective of this cross-sectional study in three schools and two colleges in south Delhi, among five hundred fifty adolescent students aged 14-19 years selected by cluster sampling, was to study health-risk behaviour related to road safety amongst adolescent students in south Delhi and its epidemiological correlates. Statistical analyses were Proportions, Chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression. More than half (52.4%) reported 'not always' wearing a seat belt. About 72.1% (300) of two-wheeler riders reported 'not always' and 23.3% (97) reported 'never' wearing a helmet. Nearly 20% (91) students rode with a driver who had alcohol before driving, and 37.3% (185) subjects had driven with a driver not possessing a driving license, in the past 30 days. Such 'road-hazard' behaviours were found to be significantly more in males and in lower-age groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the significant correlates of such behaviours were gender of the respondent and living status of the parents. Almost 77.5% (426) of the respondents were 'at risk' as far as behaviours related to safety on roads are concerned. The results should evoke earnest responses from the government, policy makers and all personnel concerned with adolescent welfare on how best to reduce the extent of this preventable problem. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting