Cuyahoga County middle school students left alone after school had worse behavior

The 2008 Cuyahoga County Middle School Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Report examined the trends of risky behavior (tobacco, alcohol and marijuana use) among middle school students (7th & 8th graders) and time left alone after school.

The Center for Adolescent Health (CAH) of Case Western Reserve University released this month the 2008 Cuyahoga County Middle School Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Report. Click here to access the report.

This report reflects attitudes and behaviors among  students in grades 7 and 8 in Cuyahoga County middle schools. With Steps to a Healthier Cleveland and the Cuyahoga County Comprehensive Partnership for Tobacco Reduction, CAH tailored the survey to address locally important issues, including

• Behaviors that Contribute to Unintentional Injuries
• Dietary Behaviors
• Physical Activity
• Obesity, Overweight, and Weight Control
• Tobacco Use (including cigarettes and little cigars)
• Alcohol Use
• Marijuana and Other Drug Use
• Behaviors that Contribute to Violence
• Sexual Behaviors
• Other Health Topics
  

The sampled data are representative of the middle school population of 7th and 8th graders in the county.

Page 35 of the report describes their findings on self-care, those students left alone for any period of time after school. CAH reports that a greater proportion of 7th and 8th grade students that use tobacco, marijuana or alcohol tend to be left alone for more hours (self-care).