Background: Risk behaviors can increase the risk of early mortality, disability, and chronic illness. Objectives: This study aimed to determine risk-taking behaviors in students of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences in 2018. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 215 students selected using a stratified sampling method. The self-administered Iranian Youth Risk-Taking Scale (IYRTS), consisting of 48 items, was used for data collection. Data were analyzed by SPSS 19 using the chi-square test. P values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of male and female students was 21.4 ± 1.92 and 20.9 ± 1.38 years, respectively. The rates of a history of physical violence, cigarette smoking, waterpipe smoking, alcohol use, and drug abuse were 37.7%, 37.2%, 47.9%, 33%, and 25.6%, respectively, and all were higher in male students (P < 0.05). Methylphenidate, ecstasy, and tramadol were the most prevalent drugs used by the students. physical inactivity was not different between male and female students (P = 0.42). Conclusions: In the present study, we found high consumption of cigarettes, waterpipe, alcohol, and drugs, as well as physical inactivity among the students.
Exploration of risk taking behaviors and perceived susceptibility of colorectal cancer among Malaysian adults: a community based cross-sectional study
