Abstract

Dipti Koirala*, Prof. Milan Lopchan and Assoicate Prof. Subina Bajracharya

ABSTRACT

Adolescent period is a foundation of the future life. Modifiable unhealthy behaviors during adolescence can lead to emergence of Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in later stages of life. This study aimed to find out the health promoting behaviors among adolescents in a government school of Chitwan, Nepal. Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 201 students of grade nine at a government school of Bharatpur, Chitwan. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaire (a standard tool: AHP scale) and the data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean age of the respondents was 14.84±0.75 and majority of the respondents were male (51.7%). The total mean score of AHP scale was 78.95±12.20, and the percent of mean score was 75.19%. The highest score was obtained in the area of life appreciation (17.47±3.39), and least score in exercise (9.61±3.39). Statistically significant association was found between health promoting behaviors among adolescents and sources of health information {school teachers (p=0.008), family members (p=0.032), newspapers (p=0.003), internet (p=0.043), radio (p=0.025) and health workers (p=0.023)}. Statistically significant association was found between subscales (nutrition behavior) and father’s employment status (p=0.016), and between subscale (health responsibility) and mother’s educational status (p=0.021). Health promoting behaviors among adolescents was found inadequate, mainly in the area of nutrition and exercise. Thus, the school management and the parents, both needs to pay more attention to the adolescents; consultation and educational services to the adolescents need to be emphasized; internet, radio and newspaper need to be utilized to enhance health promoting behaviors among adolescents.