Assessment of High-risk Behaviors among Female Students at State Secondary Schools in Ahvaz City in 2021

Background and Objectives: Adolescence is a sensitive period of life that is characterized by changes and rapid growth. These changes are related to behaviors that affect a person's health. Therefore, this research was conducted with the aim of determining the prevalence of high-risk behaviors among female students at state secondary schools in Ahvaz City in 2021. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on female students at state secondary schools in Ahvaz city by random sampling with inclusion criteria. The data were collected using a demographic form and the Iranian Adolescents Risk-Taking Scale and analyzed by SPSS software version 22 with descriptive statistical tests. Results: The average age of the subjects was 16.27 years. According to the mean and standard deviation results, the highest prevalence of risky behaviors in female students was related to dangerous driving (14.92±5.44) and drug addiction (13.13±4.70). Correlation results showed that there was a significant relationship between annual check-ups and dangerous driving, as well as between a history of physical illness and the tendency to have a relationship with the opposite sex (P<0.05). There was no significant relationship between drug addiction, alcohol consumption, smoking, violence, sexual relationship and behavior, relationship with the opposite sex, and dangerous driving with a history of mental illness and the death of family members (P>0.05). Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of high-risk behaviors and the tendency to dangerous driving and drugs in female secondary school students, it seems necessary to perform psychological, educational, educational, counseling, and therapeutic interventions because prevention of high-risk behaviors is always easier, less expensive, and more effective than treatment.