The WHO cross-national study on health behaviour in school-aged children (HBSC) in Lithuania

Abstract

The HBSC surveys in Lithuania in 1994 and 1998 were the first ever national health study of young people. In this report, the major trends in health behaviour among Lithuanian young people in 1994-1998 are highlighted. The surveys were carried out according to the international protocol of the HBSC study. The students of 5th, 7th and 9th grade in Lithuanian schools were asked to answer anonymously to the set of core questions on smoking, drinking, exercise, nutrition, dental hygiene, and student's relationships in the family and at school. In addition, the Lithuanian questionnaire included several questions on suicidal behaviour. The cleaned data files included 5428 and 4513 questionnaires of surveys in 1994 and 1998, respectively, in 11-, 13- and 15-year-old groups of students. In comparison with 1994, data of survey in 1998 showed significantly better subjective health perception and happiness of students, a decreased percentage of low physical activity (54.6% vs 51.8%, p<.05), an increased percentage of students who regularly brushed teeth (30.5% vs 40.9%, p<.001). Therefore, in 1998, the percentage of smokers in both sexes was significantly higher than in 1994 (11.3% vs 19.8% in boys, p<.001; and 3.7% vs 8.5% in girls, p<.001). The percentage of students who reported suicidal attempts increased from 8.1% in 1994 to 9.8% in 1998 (p<.05). The information gained represents a valuable data base that directly relevant to the formation of health policy, the planning of health education in schools and the enhancement of Lithuanian research capability in health promotion and disease prevention.