The identification of key health risks among the adolescent population allows
Roanoke County to develop and implement a youth risk behavior prevention program
that is tailored to the needs of the students. This study provides Roanoke County
Schools with a large sample of student survey data regarding youth risk behavior.
The final sample includes 6504 student surveys.
The research tool that was used for the study is titled the Youth Risk Behavior
Survey. The instrument is designed to gather data in six categories: behaviors
that contribute to unintentional and intentional injuries; tobacco use; alcohol
and other drugs; sexual behavior; dietary behavior; and physical activity.
Roanoke County students reported participating in at risk behavior more than
their national counterparts in all six categories. Injuries, violence, drugs,
and behaviors related to dieting, had the highest number of responses above
percents reported in national YRBS data. Additional research is needed to determine
the impact of prevention programs designed to deal with these problem behaviors.
