Risky behaviors and its relationship with religious belifes in male students in Bushehr

Introduction: Tobacco and drug abuse constitute a public health concern. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of high-risk behaviors and its relationship with religious beliefs among male Iranian students.Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on ۹۷۷ students of Bushehr, south of Iran in ۲۰۱۶. Random multi-stage sampling was employed to select study participants. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire comprised of data on cigarette, hookah and illicit drug. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and SPSS version ۱۶ with Chi-square test and independent samples t-test.Results: The average age of participants was ۲۱.۱۱±۲.۳۷. The lifetime prevalence of cigarette hookah, illicit drug were ۲۱, ۳۱.۹ and ۱۴.۹ percent, respectively. Also, the prevalence of all types of risky behaviors was shown higher in male students than female (P-Value<۰.۰۵). Results also show that the mean scores of religious beliefs were significantly lower in students with history of risky behaviors in their lifetime.Conclusion: The findings of this study reveal a high prevalence of risky behaviors among male college students. Appropriate preventive measures should be implemented among these individuals to prevent or reduce high-risk behaviors. Also, evaluation of religious belief as protective factors against high-risk behaviors can help to effectively design and implement prevention practices.

Keywords:

Risky Behaviors , Religiosity , Students , Iran