Vancouver Results of the 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey

BC Adolescent Health Survey: Vancouver Results ▪Background ▪Positive findings and trends ▪Areas of concern ▪Protective factors ▪Using the data

Administration 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey ▪29,832 surveys were completed ▪1,645 classrooms ▪56 school districts ▪325 PHN’s and nursing students Participation in Vancouver

Youth in Vancouver ▪47% of students reported East Asian heritage ▪26% of students reported European heritage ▪29% of students born outside of Canada ▪Less likely to identify as straight

Home life ▪95% of students lived with at least one parent ▪2% had lived in foster care ▪7% ran away from home in past year ▪23% moved from one home to another

Young carers

Health conditions and disabilities ▪Over a fifth of students had at least one health condition or disability ▪Females were almost 3x more likely than males to report a mental health condition ▪For many the condition was debilitating

Working Note: Not all differences between ages were statistically significant.

Technology ▪9 out of 10 students had a cellphone ▪Cellphone use was linked to: –More supportive adults outside family –Feeling safe at school ▪Students without a phone

Transportation

Positive Findings and Trends

Most youth had seen a dentist in the past year 8% of students missed out on needed medical care

Decrease in serious injuries for males Note: The difference for females was not statistically significant.

Nutrition ▪Most youth ate fruit and vegetables ▪Many still falling short of the recommended daily portions. ▪94% of youth never went to bed hungry

More youth ate breakfast

Some risky sexual behaviour decreased 12% had ever had sexual intercourse Among those:  25% first had sex at age 14 or younger  20% of males used drugs or alcohol last time they had sex

Fewer youth tried tobacco 14% had ever tried smoking. Among those: ▪Youth waited longer to try smoking ▪Males more likely to use various tobacco products Fewer youth were exposed to second hand smoke

Fewer youth tried alcohol 33% had ever tried alcohol Among those: ▪Youth waited longer to try alcohol ▪36% reported drinking five or more drinks in a short time 12% of all youth drank last Saturday

Fewer youth tried marijuana 17% had ever tried marijuana Among those: ▪Youth waited longer to try marijuana ▪4% of all studentsused last Saturday ▪3% mixed alcohol and marijuana Most commonly got marijuana from a youth outside their family (88%)

Decreases in substance use

Using other substances 2013 Change since 2003 Prescription pills without a doctor’s consent 11% Hallucinogens4% Mushrooms3% Cocaine2% Inhalants 1% Amphetamines1% HeroinNR Steroids without a doctor’s consentNR NR – Estimate suppressed due to risk of deductive disclosure.

School safety increased

Friends with pro-social attitudes Note: NA means that the question was not asked. Students whose friends would be upset with them if they Change since 2003 Dropped out of school79%86% Were involved in gang activityNA86% Got pregnant or got someone pregnant70%81% Got arrested62%80% Beat someone up56%78% Used marijuana57%64% Got drunk39%52%

Areas of ConcernAreas of Concern

Concussions 11% of youth experienced a concussion in past year

Ratings of mental health

Suicide Males ▪7% considered suicide ▪3% attempted suicide Females ▪13% considered suicide ▪7% attempted suicide

Other mental health concerns Most commonly reported conditions MalesFemales Depression 4%9% Anxiety Disorder/ Panic Attacks 2%8% Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 5%3%

Foregone mental health care ▪10% did not access needed mental health services ▪Most common reasons: ▪Not wanting parents to know ▪Thinking or hoping problem would go away

Getting enough sleep Note: The differences between males and females who slept 4 hours or less and 10 hours or more were not statistically significant. Note: The percentages for males do not equal 100% due to rounding.

Mental health and sleep Note: The difference between 5 hours and 6 hours was not statistically significant.

Bullying ▪Decrease in physical assault not seen in other forms of bullying ▪Females more likely to be teased in past year ▪Social exclusion rates did not improve ▪12% were cyberbullied in past year

Perpetrators of bullying * The percentage should be interpreted with caution as the standard error was relatively high but still within a releasable range

Discrimination & violence ▪Increases in discrimination because of sexual orientation ▪More common for males ▪Rate of dating violence not improved

Abuse & Harassment Note: The gender difference for physical abuse was not statistically significant.

Overweight and obesity rates rose Note: Percentages do not equal 100% due to rounding.

Exercise participation ▪13% of students aged met the daily activity recommendations ▪More older youth (aged 18 or 19) reached their guidelines ▪Weekly participation in informal sports decreased

Barriers to participation BarrierMalesFemales Too busy48%57% Activity wasn’t available in community 12%14% Couldn’t afford to10%18% Couldn’t get there or home9%15% Worried about being bullied3%5% Note: The difference between males and females who did not participate because the activity wasn’t available in their community was not statistically significant.

Protective FactorsProtective Factors

Established Protective Factors School connectedness Positive family relationships Caring adults outside the family Someone to turn to for help

Established Protective Factors Peer relationships Good nutrition Feeling engaged and valued Stable home

Protective Factors Nine or more hours of sleep Neighbourhood safety Community connectedness Cultural connectedness

There are many improving trends in the health of Vancouver youth Sleep, bullying and mental health are some areas of concern Promoting protective factors have and can continue to play a key role in improving outcomes for Vancouver youth

56 school district data tables 16 HSDA reports Growing Up in BC Sexual health report Youth resources Using the Data

Next Steps ▪Youth-led projects or initiatives In Our Shoes ▪Bullying awareness video ▪

Grants up to $500 for youth-led projects

Discussing the results ▪Commentary on the AHS findings from: –Mary Ellen Turpel-LaFond, Representative for Children and Youth –Bob Lenarduzzi, Owner, Vancouver Whitecaps. –And more! ▪Video on McCreary’s YouTube channelVideo on McCreary’s YouTube channel ▪ YXCw

Vancouver Results of the 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey