Adolescent Risk-taking Behaviour in India: The influence of Socio economic Characteristics and Living Arrangement

Background: There is an increasing trend of risk-taking behaviour among adolescents in India but little empirical evidence exists on its determinants. We examined the effect of socio economic characteristics and living arrangement on adolescent’s risk-taking behaviour in India. Methods: Cross sectional population based data of 1,11,077 adolescents aged 10-19 years included in India’s second National Family Health Survey (NFHS-2,1998-99) were analysed. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used for analysis. Risktaking behaviour was assessed in terms of tobacco chewing, tobacco smoking, and alcohol drinking and a combination of these three as ‘any risk behaviour’. Results: Prevalence of chewing, smoking and drinking among adolescents was 3.3%, 1.2% and 0.9% respectively. Adolescents who were dropped out from school (OR:6.6;95%CI:6.08-7.20) or had never been to school (OR:7.32;95%CI:6.65-8.06), adolescent living in a female headed household (OR:1.19;95%CI:1.07-1.33), or in household where more than three related adults stays (OR:1.52;95%CI:1.37-1.68)