TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Tobacco use and sexual activity by Alabama adolescents has gone up during the last 14 years, indicating most programs addressing these issues are not effective, according to a University of Alabama study released today.

Researchers, who have been studying ninth- and 10th-graders in Alabama since 1988, found that the percentage of pupils who had tried tobacco in the last month has increased to nearly 40 percent, according to results from their new 2001 Alabama Adolescent Survey.

Also, in the area of sexual behavior, the survey shows that females and males now have similar profiles. Approximately two-thirds of males and females are no longer virgins-up almost 25% for females since 1988.

The other areas of the survey -- exercise, drug and alcohol use, violent behavior, mental health and nutrition -- showed no significant increases or decreases.

According to Dr. Steve Nagy, UA professor of health science and the survey’s principal researcher, given the substantial sums of money spent in the areas of substance use and more recently in the area of sexual abstinence, it appears that these efforts have not been effective in impacting these behaviors.

“This mandates that prevention programs involve not only schools, but communities, institutions within these communities, and the parents and significant others in these respective constituencies,” said Nagy. “In order to maximize the learning environment for Alabama adolescents, it is imperative to address behaviors that generally occur away from school settings.”

Nagy says program monitoring and accountability should be implemented for all of these programs.

“It is only through continued monitoring that schools and communities can determine how their efforts are impacting on these young groups.”

“Currently, there seems to be insufficient accountability on how monies are being spent and how decisions are being made in an attempt to address adolescent risky behaviors,” he said.

Other recommendations coming from Nagy and his researchers are: more commitment from Alabamians to the issue of health education; periodic health screenings and examinations made available to all adolescents; continuing education for teachers on these issues; and state agencies, colleges, universities and communities collectively addressing these issues.

The Alabama Adolescent Survey, now in its 14th year, is a comprehensive health survey conducted to determine health behavior, knowledge and attitudes of the adolescents in Alabama public schools. Surveys have been conducted in 1988, 1990, 1993, 1998 and 2001.

Its findings about adolescent health and sexual knowledge, behaviors and attitudes have documented some of the reasons for Alabama’s alarming teenage pregnancy rate, alcohol and drug abuse, violence in schools and depression among teenagers.

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Highlights from 2001 Alabama Adolescent Survey

Substance Use:

• Tobacco use past month. Males and females have shown steady rates over the study; 30% & 40% respectively.
• Illegal drug use past month. Rates have been relatively stable since 1998. Up approximately 10% since 1988.
• Most common illegal drug initiated -- marijuana. Rates are up approximately 10% since 1988; males 40%; females 27%.

Safety Issues:

• 5 alcoholic drinks during the past two weeks at one sitting. Rates have not fluctuated 5% since 1988; males 45% and females 30%.
• Rode with a driver under the influence of a substance. Rates have not fluctuated 5% since 1988; males 44% and females 39%.

Exercise:

Meets recommended weekly sessions; females 29% and males 50%.

Violence:

• Someone has stolen from you by coercion. Rates have been stable since 1988; females 23% and males 22%.
• Physically hurt by others during the past year. Stable rates; females 40% and males 55%.

Sexuality Issues:

• Positive attitudes toward sexuality issues; stable since 1988.
• Sexually experienced. Rates are up. Currently 60% of males and females have initiated sex. A 25% increase for females since 1988.
• Approximately two-thirds have positive attitudes toward condom use.

Emotional Indicators:

Indicators on stress, hope and sadness show very stable rates over the study period. Approximately one-third of students show profiles where counseling/adult assistance may be warranted.

Nutritional Issues:

• Dieting during past year. Rates have remained stable for females at 60% and have increased over 10% for males to 40%.
• Fast food consumption is up approximately 10% over the study period.
• Half of the females and over one-third of males don’t have breakfast most days of the week.

Recommendations:

A healthy child is a better learner. If Alabama is to improve school performance, health status and health behaviors are important considerations. Currently, these issues are not expressed as important public issues. Commitments to better health education programs should result in better school performance. Greater support is needed in this area.

There is a need for schools and communities to monitor the behaviors and attitudes of children and adolescents. It is only through continued monitoring that schools and communities can determine how their efforts are impacting on these young groups. This data should be made available to the public in a timely manner.

The lack of change in the areas of adolescent behaviors indicates that attempts to implement programs have not been successful. Schools and their constituencies maximize the potential for success in prevention programs when they adopt scientifically proven, empirically tested approaches. Currently, there seems to be insufficient accountability on how monies are being spent and how decisions are being made in an attempt to address adolescent risky behaviors.

Health education activities and physical education activities should utilize appropriately trained and certified teachers. Continuing education for these teachers is essential to keep up with changes in the field.

Educational interventions should be comprehensive and incorporate multiple dimensions of the school health program. Schools should foster involvement with students, their families, social institutions and community health resources. Periodic health screening and examination, as well as counseling, psychological and social services should be available to address student problems that need to be addressed. This should actively involve parent groups and organizations.

State agencies, colleges, universities and communities must collectively address these issues and unite to formulate interventions that are locally appropriate and locally designed and driven. It is essential that politicians provide leadership in these activities.

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