Behavioural Risk Factors For Non-Communicable Diseases Among In-School and Out-of-School Adolescents In Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State

Abstract

Background: Adolescents engage in risky behaviors that serve as enabling factors for non-communicable diseases later in life. This study compared behavioral risk factors for non-communicable disorders among in-school and out-of-school adolescents in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State. Method:A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Jos North Local Government Area in August-November 2020. Three hundred and seventy-seven in-school and out-of-school adolescents each were selected using a two-stage and multi-stage sampling technique, respectively. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information. Chi-square, independent t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used for comparisons at a 5 % significance level. Statistical analysis used Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 23.0.Results: Prevalence of behavioral risk factors was high among in-school (96.8 %) and out-of-school adolescents (97.3 %); P = 0.665. The prevalence of current smoking was 14 (3.7 %) among in-school and 43 (11.4 %) among out-of-school adolescents (P < 0.001). Current alcohol consumption was 38 (10.1 %) among in-school and 58 (15.4 %) among out-of-school adolescents (P = 0.029). The Majority of both in-school, 332 (88.1 %) and out-of-school adolescents, 365 (96.8 %), had unhealthy diets (P < 0.001). A higher proportion of in-school adolescents were physically inactive, 261 (69.2 %), compared to their out-of-school counterparts, 186 (49.3 %); (P < 0.001). The Majority of both in-school, 345 (91.5 %) and out-of-school adolescents, 365 (96.8 %), reported having a sedentary lifestyle (P = 0.001). Conclusion:A high proportion of behavioral risk factors was found among both groups of adolescents, highlighting a potential risk of adolescents developing non-communicable diseases later in life.