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Health inequalities are clear
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Health inequalities are clearThe health inequalities between vocational school students and senior high school students are more pronounced than before. According to the National Research and Development Center for Welfare and Health (STAKES, currently THL), adolescents age 16 – 19 in vocational schools have poorer health than students in senior high schools. The data was gathered in Kainuu and Oulu municipalities. Nearly a half of vocational school students smoked daily. Drunkenness-oriented drinking is also twice as common for vocational school students than senior high school students. The rates for experimenting with illegal drugs are also three times higher for vocational school students.
Reasons for unfavorable health behaviour are partly in living conditions. The parents of vocational school students are more likely regular smokers and unemployed than those of senior high school students’. They’re also more likely to be unaware of how and where the adolescents spend their free time. Compared to senior high school students’ living conditions the above-mentioned factors were more likely by a third.
According to the survey, overweight, lack of sleep and use of intoxicants are the most alarming issues for boys’ health. Unfavorable habits also tend to pile up. School conditions can also have a negative effect on boys’ health: physical threat (fights, bullying), repeated misdemeanors and lack of close friends are more general in vocational schools. For girls most problematic issues are experiencing unfavorable school atmosphere and physical and psychical symptoms that occur frequently due to depression and use of intoxicants. 16 % suffer from depression and a third has symptoms daily.
Vocational school students are more discontented with the school atmosphere than senior high school students. Bullying is twice as common in vocational schools. 7 % of boys have undergone bullying repeatedly. 20 % of all vocational school students skipped school at least on two days in a month’s time.
According to the survey, greatest health differences occur between girls in academic schools and girls in vocational schools. Use of intoxicants and eating unhealthy snacks are both significantly more common in vocational schools than in senior high schools.
School Health Promotion Study data was collected in September and October including the first and second year students in vocational schools in Kainuu, Oulu, Liminka, Kempele, Haukiputaa and Muhos municipalities. The survey is needed to reduce health differences and to develop an effective health care system for educational institutions. School Health Promotion Study also contributes to add knowledge in schools on health and well-being.
Source:
Stakes. Press Release 30.11.2007. Kouluterveyskysely Kainuun ja Oulun seudulla ammattiin opiskeleville. Ammattiin opiskelevien nuorten terveystottumukset huonommat kuin lukiolaisten.
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Finland´s ASH
Olympiastadion
Eteläkaarre, A-porras,
00250 Helsinki, FINLAND
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