Learning Journal #19: Source Document Analysis

While researching for more articles about common health issues in Tonga, I came across a journal article which conducted an international survey by UNICEF, called the Healthy Behaviour and Lifestyle of Pacific Youth study.  This survey was given to students ranging from ages 11-17 residing in Tonga, Vanuatu, and Pohnpei.  About 43% of all primary and secondary schools in Tonga participated in this survey which was a total of 2808 students.  I thought that amount was a great turn out.  I wondered why the other half did not want to participate, and also wondered if they were government or private schools.  This survey was very interesting as it asked questions about a variety of health behaviors such as substance use, dietary habits, physical activity, peers, communication with family, and injury violence.  This survey measured prevalence and frequency of smoking, kava use, drunkenness, and use of other illegal drugs.  I really liked how this survey was tailored to be more appropriate to fit into Tonga as it asked questions about kava.  This survey was also offered in the Tongan language.

Although the survey was completed in 2000 (from October to November), I think the results found from this survey can correlate to statistics today.  The results included:
            -Increase smoking among boys starting from age 15
            -Drunkenness was reported more often by boys at age 15
            -Drunkenness was reported less often by girls in general
            -Kava consumption on a weekly basis or more often was reported more among boys and increased most between ages 16 and 17
            -Regular use of illegal substances increased among boys
            -Association with weaker relationships with family members and lower happiness with life
            -Tonga had highest proportion of 15 year olds who smoked on a daily basis compared with the other two countries participating in the survey

I thought this was so interesting because I think it’s safe to conclude that there is a high risk of smoking and drinking alcohol among teenagers in Tonga.  I can start my field study by looking to see if the health class at Liahona offers counseling or information about smoking and alcohol use.  With also talking to my mentor, he suggested that I could conduct international surveys there in Tonga (at the high school if possible), and compare the results from the results found in this study.  I think that would be great and so useful for the teachers and health officials in Tonga.  Interestingly, while visiting Tonga, I did notice how many young people smoked and was kind of shocked to see how many.  I think smoking and alcohol use increased over time in Tonga as more and more people left overseas and adopted those health behaviors, and also as people come to visit Tonga and do such things.  I think it will be very interesting to see what interventions or programs are available to teenagers in Tonga to address those two public health issues.     

Title: Comparison of tobacco, alcohol and illegal drug usage among school students in three Pacific Island societies.

Authors: Smith BJ; Phongsavan P; Bauman AE; Havea D; Chey T

Source: http://web.ebscohost.com.erl.lib.byu.edu/ehost/detail?sid=1bbcd8d7-dfea-441a-9025-7298d3f7b236%40sessionmgr104&vid=1&hid=113&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=cmedm&AN=17055190