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Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance --- Pacific Island United States Territories, 2007

Jaclynn Lippe1
Nancy Brener, PhD1
Laura Kann, PhD1
Steve Kinchen1
William A. Harris, MM1
Tim McManus, MS1
Nancy Speicher2
1Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC
2Westat, Rockville, Maryland

Corresponding author: Nancy D. Brener, PhD, Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, MS K-33, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, Atlanta, GA 30341. Telephone: 770-488-6184; Fax: 770-488-6156; E-mail: nad1@cdc.gov.

Abstract

Problem: Priority health-risk behaviors, which are behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among youth and adults in Pacific Island territories, often are established during adolescence and extend into adulthood.

Reporting Period Covered: January--June 2007.

Description of the System: The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults, including behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus infection; unhealthy dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity. In addition, the YRBSS monitors the prevalence of obesity and asthma. YRBSS includes a national school-based survey conducted by CDC and state, territorial, tribal, and local school-based surveys conducted by state, territorial, tribal, and local education and health agencies. This report summarizes results from surveys of students in grades 9--12 conducted in five territories (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau) during January--June 2007.

Results: Across the five Pacific Island territories, the leading causes of mortality among all ages include unintentional injuries, including motor-vehicle crashes; cancer; cardiovascular diseases; stroke; and diabetes. Results from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) indicated that high school students in the Pacific Island territories engaged in behaviors that increased their risk for mortality or morbidity from these causes. Across the five territories during 2007, the percentage of high school students who had rarely or never worn a seat belt when riding in a car driven by someone else ranged from 11.8% to 83.2% (median: 30.9%). During the 30 days before the survey, the percentage who had ridden in a car or other vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol ranged from 34.8% to 49.8% (median: 42.8%), the percentage who had driven a car or other vehicle when they had been drinking alcohol ranged from 7.8% to 16.1% (median: 11.9%), and the percentage who had carried a weapon ranged from 16.9% to 32.0% (median: 19.6%). The percentage of students who had smoked cigarettes during the 30 days before the survey ranged from 23.1% to 37.6% (median: 31.1%), the percentage who had not eaten fruits and vegetables five or more times per day during the 7 days before the survey ranged from 72.8% to 83.6% (median: 79.5%), and the percentage who had not met recommended levels of physical activity ranged from 64.0% to 77.2% (median: 68.9%).

Interpretation: The prevalence of many health-risk behaviors varies across the five Pacific Island territories, and many high school students engage in behaviors that place them at risk for the leading causes of mortality and morbidity.

Public Health Action: YRBSS data will be used in the territories for decision making and program planning, resulting in more effective school health and youth health programs. More evidence-based interventions and programs are needed to reduce risk behaviors and improve health outcomes among youth.

Introduction

Across the five Pacific Island territories, the leading causes of mortality among all ages include unintentional injuries, including motor-vehicle crashes; cancer; cardiovascular diseases; stroke; and diabetes (1).* Priority health-risk behaviors, which are behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, often are established during childhood and adolescence and then extend into adulthood. These behaviors are monitored by the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS).

The YRBSS monitors six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults, including behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and STDs, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; unhealthy dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity. The YRBSS also monitors obesity and asthma and includes national, state, territorial, tribal, and local school-based surveys of students in grades 9--12.

This report summarizes results from the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) conducted in five Pacific Island Territories (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau) during January 2007--June 2007.

Methods

Detailed information about YRBSs has been described elsewhere (2). Additional information also is available at http://www.cdc.gov/yrbs.

Sampling

Each territory school-based survey employed a two-stage cluster sample design to produce a representative sample of public school students in grades 9--12. In the first sampling stage, all schools with any students in grades 9--12 were selected. In the second sampling stage, in American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau, all students were eligible to participate; in Guam, intact classes from either a required subject (e.g., English or social studies) or a required period (e.g., homeroom or second period) were selected randomly, and all students in selected classes were eligible to participate. Pacific Island territories that had a representative sample of students, appropriate documentation, and an overall response rate of 60% or higher were weighted. A weight was applied to each record to adjust for student nonresponse and the distribution of students by grade and sex. Therefore, weighted estimates are representative of all students in grades 9--12 attending public schools in each territory.

In 2007, all five Pacific Island territories had weighted data. Student sample sizes ranged from 732 to 3,625 (Table 1). School response rates were all 100%; student response rates ranged from 78% to 90%; and overall response rates, calculated by multiplying the school response rate by the student response rate, ranged from 78% to 90%.

Data Collection Procedures and Questionnaire

Procedures were designed to protect students' privacy by allowing for anonymous and voluntary participation. Before survey administration, local parental permission procedures were followed. Students completed the self-administered questionnaire during one class period and recorded their responses directly on a computer-scannable booklet or answer sheet.

The core questionnaire contained 87 questions. Territories could add or delete questions from the core questionnaire. Skip patterns were not included in any questionnaire to protect student privacy by ensuring all completed the questionnaire in approximately the same amount of time. Information about the reliability of the core questions has been published previously (3).

Data Processing and Coding

Data from each territory data set were cleaned and edited for inconsistencies. Missing data were not imputed statistically. The number of completed questionnaires that failed quality-control checks† and were excluded from analysis ranged from one to 12 (median: four). Race/ethnicity was defined differently for each Pacific Island territory and, therefore, it is not included in this report.

Students were classified as obese or overweight based on their body mass index (kg/m2) (BMI), which was calculated from self-reported height and weight. The BMI values were compared with sex- and age-specific reference data from the 2000 CDC Growth Charts (4). Obese was defined as a BMI of >95th percentile for age and sex. Overweight was defined as a BMI of >85th percentile and <95th percentile for age and sex. Previous YRBS reports used the terms "overweight" to describe those youth with a BMI >95th percentile for age and sex and "at risk for overweight" for those with a BMI >85th percentile and <95th percentile. However, this report uses the terms "obese" and "overweight" in accordance with the 2007 recommendations from the Expert Committee on the Assessment, Prevention, and Treatment of Child and Adolescent Overweight and Obesity convened by the American Medical Association (AMA) and cofunded by AMA in collaboration with the Health Resources and Services Administration and CDC (5). These classifications are not intended to diagnose individual students as obese or overweight, but rather to provide estimates of obesity and overweight for the population of students surveyed. The reliability and validity of self-reported height and weight among high school students has been described previously (6).

Analytic Methods

Statistical analyses were conducted on weighted data using SAS® (7) and SUDAAN (8) software to account for the complex sampling designs. Prevalence estimates were computed for all variables and all data sets. Confidence intervals were computed for Guam because that site used a sample rather than a census of students.

Results

Behaviors that Contribute to Unintentional Injuries

Seat Belt Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had rarely or never worn a seat belt when riding in a car driven by someone else ranged from 11.8% to 83.2% (median: 30.9%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 10.9% to 83.0% (median: 29.9%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 12.3% to 83.6% (median: 32.0%) (Table 2).

Bicycle Helmet Use

Across surveys, among students who had ridden a bicycle during the 12 months before the survey, the overall percentage of students who had rarely or never worn a bicycle helmet ranged from 71.9% to 97.6% (median: 92.9%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 72.7% to 98.8% (median: 92.9%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 71.0% to 96.3% (median: 93.1%) (Table 2).

Rode with a Driver Who Had Been Drinking Alcohol

During the 30 days before the survey, across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had ridden one or more times in a car or other vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol ranged from 34.8% to 49.8% (median: 42.8%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 30.1% to 48.5% (median: 38.9%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 36.3% to 54.6% (median: 46.5%) (Table 3).

Drove When Drinking Alcohol

During the 30 days before the survey, across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had driven a car or other vehicle one or more times when they had been drinking alcohol ranged from 7.8% to 16.1% (median: 11.9%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 5.3% to 10.1% (median: 9.1%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 9.7% to 22.9% (median: 14.2%) (Table 3).

Behaviors that Contribute to Violence

Carried a Weapon

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had carried a weapon (e.g., a gun, knife, or club) on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey ranged from 16.9% to 32.0% (median: 19.6%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 7.7% to 22.5% (median: 10.8%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 24.7% to 42.8% (median: 29.6%) (Table 4).

Carried a Gun

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had carried a gun on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey ranged from 5.1% to 12.1% (median: 8.5%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 1.9% to 8.5% (median: 3.3%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 7.9% to 16.1% (median: 13.8%) (Table 4).

In a Physical Fight

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had been in a physical fight one or more times during the 12 months before the survey ranged from 27.0% to 54.4% (median: 34.1%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 17.8% to 46.0% (median: 25.7%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 36.0% to 63.6% (median: 41.3%) (Table 5).

Injured in a Physical Fight

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had been in a physical fight one or more times during the 12 months before the survey in which they were injured and had to be treated by a doctor or nurse ranged from 4.5% to 11.6% (median: 5.0%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 2.6% to 8.8% (median: 4.9%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 4.3% to 14.7% (median: 6.7%) (Table 5).

Dating Violence

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had been hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend (i.e., dating violence) ranged from 13.3% to 30.8% (median: 14.1%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 12.5% to 25.9% (median: 14.8%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 10.0% to 35.5% (median: 14.9%) (Table 6).

Forced to Have Sexual Intercourse

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had ever been physically forced to have sexual intercourse when they did not want to ranged from 12.9% to 35.8% (median: 21.0%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 17.7% to 32.8% (median: 19.0%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 8.8% to 38.9% (median: 19.4%) (Table 6).

Carried a Weapon on School Property

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had carried a weapon (e.g., a gun, knife, or club) on school property on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey ranged from 5.4% to 17.6% (median: 8.4%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 2.8% to 10.5% (median: 4.6%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 7.8% to 25.2% (median: 12.2%) (Table 7).

Threatened or Injured with a Weapon on School Property

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had been threatened or injured with a weapon (e.g., a gun, knife, or club) on school property one or more times during the 12 months before the survey ranged from 7.2% to 20.5% (median:10.3%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 4.8% to 17.5% (median: 7.2%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 9.3% to 23.3% (median: 13.5%) (Table 7).

In a Physical Fight on School Property

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had been in a physical fight on school property one or more times during the 12 months before the survey ranged from 12.4% to 33.1% (median: 16.0%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 9.5% to 26.0% (median: 11.0%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 15.3% to 40.8% (median: 20.1%) (Table 8).

Had Property Stolen or Damaged on School Property

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had had their property (e.g., car, clothing, or books) stolen or deliberately damaged on school property one or more times during the 12 months before the survey ranged from 22.6% to 53.7% (median: 37.1%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 24.1% to 51.0% (median: 36.6%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 21.2% to 58.2% (median: 37.3%) (Table 8).

Did Not Go to School Because of Safety Concerns

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had not gone to school on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey because they felt they would be unsafe at school or on their way to or from school ranged from 8.8% to 36.4% (median: 12.3%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 8.4% to 34.4% (median: 14.1%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 8.9% to 38.2% (median: 11.3%) (Table 9).

Felt Sad or Hopeless

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for 2 or more weeks in a row that they stopped doing some usual activities during the 12 months before the survey ranged from 37.1% to 47.3% (median: 41.9%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 43.8% to 52.6% (median: 46.3%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 29.4% to 48.2% (median: 34.4%) (Table 10).

Seriously Considered Attempting Suicide

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had seriously considered attempting suicide during the 12 months before the survey ranged from 22.0% to 28.9% (median: 25.7%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 25.9% to 37.6% (median: 30.2%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 16.6% to 25.3% (median: 19.6%) (Table 11).

Made a Suicide Plan

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had made a plan about how they would attempt suicide during the 12 months before the survey ranged from 21.4% to 30.0% (median: 25.4%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 27.5% to 31.7% (median: 31.1%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 15.9% to 30.8% (median: 18.7%) (Table 11).

Attempted Suicide

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had attempted suicide one or more times during the 12 months before the survey ranged from 16.9% to 25.3% (median: 19.6%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 21.3% to 35.7% (median: 22.6%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 11.8% to 26.5% (median: 13.4%) (Table 12).

Suicide Attempt Treated by a Doctor or Nurse

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had made a suicide attempt that resulted in an injury, poisoning, or overdose that had to be treated by a doctor or nurse during the 12 months before the survey ranged from 3.8% to 14.2% (median: 6.1%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 4.8% to 14.7% (median: 6.2%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 2.8% to 15.6% (median: 5.3%) (Table 12).

Tobacco Use

Lifetime Cigarette Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had ever tried cigarette smoking (even one or two puffs) (i.e., lifetime cigarette use) ranged from 56.8% to 78.1% (median: 69.7%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 53.1% to 78.7% (median: 67.6%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 57.1% to 77.6% (median: 71.6%) (Table 13).

Lifetime Daily Cigarette Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had ever smoked at least one cigarette every day for 30 days (i.e., lifetime daily cigarette use) ranged from 13.6% to 17.6% (median: 16.6%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 12.6% to 16.2% (median: 13.1%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 14.2% to 22.3% (median: 17.8%) (Table 13).

Current Cigarette Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had smoked cigarettes on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey (i.e., current cigarette use) ranged from 23.1% to 37.6% (median: 31.1%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 20.4% to 31.1% (median: 25.4%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 22.9% to 44.4% (median: 31.2%) (Table 14).

Current Frequent Cigarette Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had smoked cigarettes on 20 or more days during the 30 days before the survey (i.e., current frequent cigarette use) ranged from 8.2% to 13.1% (median: 11.0%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 2.6% to 10.7% (median: 6.7%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 7.2% to 21.3% (median: 13.9%) (Table 14).

Smoked More than 10 Cigarettes per Day

Across surveys, among students who currently smoked cigarettes, the overall percentage of students who had smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day on the days they smoked during the 30 days before the survey ranged from 4.7% to 11.8% (median: 6.9%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 5.3% to 8.2% (median: 6.3%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 6.5% to 18.1% (median: 7.8%) (Table 15).

Tried to Quit Smoking Cigarettes

Across surveys, among students who currently smoked cigarettes, the overall percentage of students who had tried to quit smoking cigarettes during the 12 months before the survey ranged from 74.0% to 89.3% (median: 81.9%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 75.7% to 91.7% (median: 83.9%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 70.8% to 87.6% (median: 82.3%) (Table 15).

Bought Cigarettes in a Store or Gas Station

Across surveys, among students who currently smoked cigarettes and were aged <18 years, the overall percentage of students who usually got their own cigarettes by buying them in a store (i.e., convenience store, supermarket, or discount store) or gas station during the 30 days before the survey ranged from 14.9% to 30.8% (median: 17.3%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 12.1% to 21.6% (median: 17.3%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 12.8% to 40.6% (median: 21.3%) (Table 16).

Current Smokeless Tobacco Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had used smokeless tobacco (e.g., chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip) on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey (i.e., current smokeless tobacco use) ranged from 4.7% to 37.3% (median: 32.0%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 2.7% to 39.0% (median: 21.6%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 6.8% to 43.7% (median: 35.5%) (Table 16).

Current Cigar Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had smoked cigars, cigarillos, or little cigars on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey (i.e., current cigar use) ranged from 6.5% to 27.1% (median: 9.5%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 3.1% to 22.5% (median: 6.6%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 9.0% to 31.8% (median: 12.2%) (Table 17).

Current Tobacco Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had reported current cigarette use, current smokeless tobacco use, or current cigar use (i.e., current tobacco use) ranged from 25.4% to 50.9% (median: 38.8%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 23.4% to 47.4% (median: 28.1%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 24.6% to 54.1% (median: 50.5%) (Table 17).

Alcohol and Other Drug Use

Lifetime Alcohol Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had had at least one drink of alcohol on at least 1 day during their life (i.e., lifetime alcohol use) ranged from 46.6% to 69.8% (median: 64.3%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 43.9% to 70.5% (median: 61.8%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 49.7% to 69.1% (median: 66.8%) (Table 18).

Current Alcohol Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had had at least one drink of alcohol on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey (i.e., current alcohol use) ranged from 29.8% to 41.7% (median: 36.0%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 28.7% to 39.5% (median: 33.4%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 31.1% to 51.0% (median: 42.4%) (Table 18).

Episodic Heavy Drinking

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had had five or more drinks of alcohol in a row (i.e., within a couple of hours) on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey (i.e., episodic heavy drinking) ranged from 18.3% to 26.6% (median: 23.3%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 15.6% to 22.6% (median: 16.3%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 20.3% to 31.0% (median: 29.2%) (Table 19).

Bought Alcohol in a Store

Across surveys, among students who currently drank alcohol, the overall percentage of students who usually got the alcohol they drank by buying it in a store (e.g., liquor store, convenience store, supermarket, discount store, or gas station) during the 30 days before the survey ranged from 12.7% to 14.0% (median: 13.5%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 8.0% to 10.1% (median: 9.0%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 17.0% to 19.4% (median: 17.6%) (Table 19).

Lifetime Marijuana Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had used marijuana one or more times during their life (i.e., lifetime marijuana use) ranged from 13.9% to 59.8% (median: 45.5%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 5.5% to 55.6% (median: 40.6%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 22.4% to 64.3% (median: 49.9%) (Table 20).

Current Marijuana Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had used marijuana one or more times during the 30 days before the survey (i.e., current marijuana use) ranged from 8.5% to 38.5% (median: 23.3%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 3.2% to 33.0% (median: 20.5%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 14.1% to 43.7% (median: 25.6%) (Table 20).

Lifetime Cocaine Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had used any form of cocaine (e.g., powder, crack,§ or freebase) one or more times during their life (i.e., lifetime cocaine use) ranged from 4.6% to 7.7% (median: 5.4%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 2.5% to 5.8% (median: 2.9%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 6.3% to 9.5% (median: 7.9%) (Table 21).

Current Cocaine Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had used any form of cocaine (e.g., powder, crack, or freebase) one or more times during the 30 days before the survey (i.e., current cocaine use) ranged from 2.0% to 5.3% (median: 3.0%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 1.0% to 3.9% (median: 1.7%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 2.8% to 6.7% (median: 4.3%) (Table 21).

Lifetime Illegal Injection-Drug Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had used a needle to inject any illegal drug into their body one or more times during their life (i.e., lifetime illegal injection-drug use) ranged from 4.1% to 15.0% (median: 5.1%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 2.1% to 14.1% (median: 3.8%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 5.4% to 15.8% (median: 6.5%) (Table 22).

Lifetime Inhalant Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had sniffed glue, breathed the contents of aerosol spray cans, or inhaled any paints or sprays to get high one or more times during their life (i.e., lifetime inhalant use) ranged from 8.8% to 14.0% (median: 11.6%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 7.3% to 13.7% (median: 10.6%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 10.5% to 14.1% (median: 12.6%) (Table 22).

Lifetime Illegal Steroid Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had taken steroid pills or shots without a doctor's prescription one or more times during their life (i.e., lifetime illegal steroid use) ranged from 4.8% to 6.5% (median: 5.1%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 3.3% to 4.6% (median: 3.6%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 5.5% to 9.4% (median: 6.0%) (Table 23).

Lifetime Heroin Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had used heroin (also called "smack," "junk," or "China White") one or more times during their life (i.e., lifetime heroin use) ranged from 3.5% to 9.6% (median: 5.2%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 1.7% to 7.5% (median: 2.7%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 5.0% to 11.6% (median: 7.3%) (Table 24).

Lifetime Methamphetamine Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had used methamphetamines (also called "speed," "crystal," "crank," or "ice") one or more times during their life (i.e., lifetime methamphetamine use) ranged from 4.9% to 13.1% (median: 5.9%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 2.7% to 10.5% (median: 3.7%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 6.2% to 15.4% (median: 8.6%) (Table 24).

Lifetime Ecstasy Use

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had used ecstasy (also called "MDMA") one or more times during their life (i.e., lifetime ecstasy use) ranged from 4.7% to 6.9% (median: 5.4%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 2.2% to 4.9% (median: 2.9%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 6.7% to 9.1% (median: 7.7%) (Table 25).

Age of Initiation of Risk Behaviors

Smoked a Whole Cigarette Before Age 13 Years

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had smoked a whole cigarette for the first time before age 13 years ranged from 6.9% to 28.6% (median: 22.7%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 6.2% to 27.4% (median: 19.4%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 7.5% to 29.8% (median: 25.2%) (Table 26).

Drank Alcohol Before Age 13 Years

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had drunk alcohol (other than a few sips) for the first time before age 13 years ranged from 10.9% to 27.4% (median: 20.8%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 6.9% to 25.0% (median: 15.4%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 14.8% to 29.6% (median: 25.5%) (Table 26).

Tried Marijuana Before Age 13 Years

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had tried marijuana for the first time before age 13 years ranged from 4.5% to 19.9% (median: 15.4%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 3.0% to 12.3% (median: 9.4%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 6.0% to 29.0% (median: 20.2%) (Table 27).

Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drug Use on School Property

Smoked Cigarettes on School Property

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had smoked cigarettes on school property on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey ranged from 6.7% to 16.3% (median: 10.2%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 7.3% to 10.7% (median: 9.0%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 6.1% to 23.1% (median: 11.5%) (Table 28).

Used Smokeless Tobacco on School Property

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had used smokeless tobacco (e.g., chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip) on school property on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey ranged from 3.0% to 31.3% (median: 21.1%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 1.6% to 33.5% (median: 14.1%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 4.3% to 35.0% (median: 28.0%) (Table 28).

Drank Alcohol on School Property

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had drunk at least one drink of alcohol on school property on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey ranged from 5.4% to 15.3% (median: 6.8%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 4.6% to 11.7% (median: 5.8%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 5.8% to 18.9% (median: 7.9%) (Table 29).

Used Marijuana on School Property

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had used marijuana on school property one or more times during the 30 days before the survey ranged from 4.5% to 20.9% (median: 10.1%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 2.3% to 15.8% (median: 8.5%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 6.7% to 25.9% (median: 11.0%) (Table 29).

Offered, Sold, or Given an Illegal Drug on School Property

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had been offered, sold, or given an illegal drug by someone on school property during the 12 months before the survey ranged from 24.1% to 36.8% (median: 28.7%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 19.7% to 30.7% (median: 29.0%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 28.3% to 42.3% (median: 30.2%) (Table 30).

Sexual Behaviors That Contribute to Unintended Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Including HIV Infection

Ever Had Sexual Intercourse

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had ever had sexual intercourse ranged from 32.0% to 59.0% (median: 45.0%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 23.4% to 48.2% (median: 45.1%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 42.6% to 72.0% (median: 50.4%) (Table 31).

Had First Sexual Intercourse Before Age 13 Years

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had sexual intercourse for the first time before age 13 years ranged from 7.4% to 9.8% (median: 8.3%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 3.0% to 6.5% (median: 3.8%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 10.1% to 17.1% (median: 13.2%) (Table 31).

Had Sexual Intercourse with Four or More Persons During Their Life

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had had sexual intercourse with four or more persons during their life ranged from 11.0% to 19.2% (median: 14.7%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 4.7% to 10.4% (median: 9.7%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 12.2% to 30.8% (median: 19.6%) (Table 32).

Currently Sexually Active

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had had sexual intercourse with at least one person during the 3 months before the survey (i.e., currently sexually active) ranged from 20.0% to 39.3% (median: 29.9%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 14.4% to 34.0% (median: 32.8%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 26.6% to 45.4% (median: 34.3%) (Table 32).

Condom Use

Across surveys, among students who were currently sexually active, the overall percentage of students who reported that either they or their partner had used a condom during last sexual intercourse ranged from 35.1% to 50.2% (median: 41.2%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 27.0% to 47.5% (median: 34.3%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 44.6% to 52.8% (median: 46.2%) (Table 33).

Birth Control Pill Use

Across surveys, among students who were currently sexually active, the overall percentage of students who reported that either they or their partner had used birth control pills to prevent pregnancy before last sexual intercourse ranged from 3.8% to 10.5% (median: 7.8%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 4.0% to 8.7% (median: 6.0%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 2.9% to 12.4% (median: 8.8%) (Table 33).

Drank Alcohol or Used Drugs Before Last Sexual Intercourse

Across surveys, among students who were currently sexually active, the overall percentage of students who had drunk alcohol or used drugs before last sexual intercourse ranged from 17.0% to 36.3% (median: 33.8%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 11.2% to 27.3% (median: 23.0%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 24.2% to 40.5% (median: 37.8%) (Table 34).

Were Taught in School About AIDS or HIV Infection

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had ever been taught in school about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or HIV infection ranged from 46.0% to 85.2% (median: 78.8%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 44.6% to 87.9% (median: 77.1%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 47.3% to 82.9% (median: 79.9%) (Table 34).

Dietary Behaviors

Ate Fruits and Vegetables Five or More Times per Day

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had eaten fruits and vegetables** five or more times per day during the 7 days before the survey ranged from 16.4% to 27.2% (median: 20.5%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 16.5% to 27.3% (median: 17.6%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 16.0% to 27.1% (median: 23.3%) (Table 35).

Drank Three or More Glasses per Day of Milk

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had drunk three or more glasses per day of milk during the 7 days before the survey ranged from 6.5% to 15.9% (median: 11.5%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 5.1% to 13.5% (median: 8.8%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 7.8% to 18.7% (median: 12.8%) (Table 35).

Drank Soda or Pop At Least One Time per Day

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had drunk a can, bottle, or glass of soda or pop (not including diet soda or diet pop) at least one time per day during the 7 days before the survey ranged from 22.1% to 37.6% (median: 34.9%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 22.1% to 39.1% (median: 35.9%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 22.3% to 39.1% (median: 30.5%) (Table 36).

Physical Activity

Met Recommended Levels of Physical Activity

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had been physically active doing any kind of physical activity that increased their heart rate and made them breathe hard some of the time for a total of at least 60 minutes per day on 5 or more days during the 7 days before the survey (i.e., met recommended levels of physical activity) (9) ranged from 22.8% to 36.0% (median: 31.1%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 17.9% to 29.6% (median: 24.7%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 28.0% to 42.8% (median: 36.9%) (Table 37).

Did Not Participate in 60 or More Minutes of Physical Activity on Any Day

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who did not participate in 60 or more minutes of any kind of physical activity that increased their heart rate and made them breathe hard some of the time on at least 1 day during the 7 days before the survey (i.e., did not participate in 60 or more minutes of physical activity on any day) ranged from 19.5% to 30.6% (median: 20.8%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 23.5% to 30.8% (median: 24.9%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 16.0% to 30.3% (median: 16.6%) (Table 37).

Used Computers 3 or More Hours per Day

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who played video or computer games or used a computer for something that was not school work for 3 or more hours per day on an average school day (i.e., used computers 3 or more hours per day) ranged from 17.7% to 32.7% (median: 25.4%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 12.7% to 33.0% (median: 23.3%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 22.8% to 32.2% (median: 27.8%) (Table 38).

Watched Television 3 or More Hours per Day

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who watched television 3 or more hours per day on an average school day ranged from 19.3% to 36.9% (median: 32.1%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 18.1% to 40.7% (median: 32.9%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 20.4% to 33.7% (median: 31.5%) (Table 38).

Attended Physical Education Classes

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who went to physical education (PE) classes on 1 or more days in an average week when they were in school (i.e., attended PE classes) ranged from 44.4% to 57.8% (median: 45.4%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 39.4% to 57.7% (median: 44.2%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 46.2% to 61.1% (median: 51.7%) (Table 39).

Attended Physical Education Classes Daily

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who went to PE classes 5 days in an average week when they were in school (i.e., attended PE classes daily) ranged from 10.7% to 30.7% (median: 25.9%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 9.4% to 28.6% (median: 26.9%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 11.9% to 34.5% (median: 23.2%) (Table 39).

Played on at Least One Sports Team

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had played on at least one sports team (run by their school or community groups) during the 12 months before the survey ranged from 41.8% to 66.3% (median: 55.4%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 31.3% to 64.4% (median: 47.2%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 50.4% to 71.6% (median: 64.0%) (Table 40).

Obesity, Overweight, and Weight Control

Obese

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who were obese ranged from 11.3% to 38.6% (median: 15.9%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 8.8% to 35.5% (median: 12.9%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 13.9% to 41.6% (median: 20.6%) (Table 41).

Overweight

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who were overweight ranged from 15.0% to 19.9% (median: 15.4%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 15.4% to 22.3% (median: 17.5%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 12.8% to 17.7% (median: 15.2%) (Table 41).

Described Themselves as Overweight

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who described themselves as slightly or very overweight ranged from 9.2% to 30.1% (median: 22.6%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 8.9% to 32.3% (median: 27.1%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 9.6% to 28.1% (median: 18.0%) (Table 42).

Were Trying to Lose Weight

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who were trying to lose weight ranged from 30.7% to 54.4% (median: 48.4%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 34.2% to 60.6% (median: 58.2%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 27.3% to 48.1% (median: 38.8%) (Table 42).

Ate Less Food, Fewer Calories, or Low-Fat Foods to Lose Weight or to Keep From Gaining Weight

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had eaten less food, fewer calories, or low-fat foods to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight during the 30 days before the survey ranged from 38.9% to 52.5% (median: 42.4%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 37.7% to 50.9% (median: 46.0%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 34.2% to 54.3% (median: 47.4%) (Table 43).

Exercised to Lose Weight or to Keep From Gaining Weight

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had exercised to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight during the 30 days before the survey ranged from 56.9% to 68.4% (median: 63.3%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 51.0% to 67.5% (median: 61.6%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 62.2% to 69.3% (median: 63.4%) (Table 43).

Did Not Eat for 24 or More Hours to Lose Weight or to Keep From Gaining Weight

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who did not eat for 24 or more hours to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight during the 30 days before the survey ranged from 16.2% to 34.5% (median: 25.8%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 19.1% to 34.7% (median: 24.4%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 13.3% to 34.5% (median: 27.1%) (Table 44).

Took Diet Pills, Powders, or Liquids to Lose Weight or to Keep From Gaining Weight

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had taken diet pills, powders, or liquids without a doctor's advice to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight during the 30 days before the survey ranged from 5.7% to 24.4% (median: 12.0%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 5.2% to 22.0% (median: 8.8%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 6.2% to 26.9% (median: 10.8%) (Table 44).

Vomited or Took Laxatives to Lose Weight or to Keep From Gaining Weight

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had vomited or taken laxatives to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight during the 30 days before the survey ranged from 7.6% to 25.0% (median: 13.5%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 9.1% to 23.6% (median: 9.5%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 5.9% to 26.5% (median: 12.1%) (Table 45).

Asthma

Lifetime Asthma

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had ever been told by a doctor or nurse that they had asthma (i.e., lifetime asthma) ranged from 15.6% to 18.5% (median: 16.2%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 14.4% to 16.1% (median: 15.0%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 16.3% to 20.7% (median: 17.9%) (Table 46).

Current Asthma

Across surveys, the overall percentage of students who had lifetime asthma and still had asthma (i.e., current asthma) ranged from 5.7% to 6.5% (median: 5.8%). Prevalence among female students ranged from 5.4% to 6.6% (median: 6.4%), and prevalence among male students ranged from 5.2% to 6.5% (median: 5.9%) (Table 46).

Discussion

Across territories, prevalence does not vary substantially for the majority of risk behaviors. However, a range of 25 or more percentage points or a fivefold variation or greater was identified for the following risk behaviors:

  • rarely or never wore a bicycle helmet (minimum: 71.9%; maximum: 97.6%);
  • did not go to school because of safety concerns (minimum: 8.8%; maximum: 36.4%);
  • had property stolen or deliberately damaged on school property (minimum: 22.6%; maximum: 53.7%);
  • in a physical fight (minimum: 27.0%; maximum: 54.4%);
  • current smokeless tobacco use (minimum: 4.7%; maximum: 37.3%);
  • current tobacco use (minimum: 25.4%; maximum: 50.9%);
  • used smokeless tobacco on school property (minimum: 3.0%; maximum: 31.3%);
  • lifetime marijuana use (minimum: 13.9%; maximum: 59.8%);
  • current marijuana use (minimum: 8.5%; maximum: 44.7%);
  • ever had sexual intercourse (minimum: 32.0%; maximum: 59.0%);
  • taught in school about AIDS or HIV infection (minimum: 46.0%; maximum: 85.2%); and
  • obese (minimum: 11.3%; maximum: 38.6%).

These variations might occur, in part, because of differences in territorial laws and policies, enforcement practices, access to illegal drugs, availability of effective school and community interventions, prevailing behavioral and social norms, demographic characteristics of the population, and adult practices. Longitudinal research is needed to better understand the effect of these factors on the development and prevalence of risk behaviors.

Limitations

The findings in this report are subject to at least three limitations. First, these data apply only to youth who attend school and, therefore, are not representative of all persons in this age group. In the Pacific Island territories, the civilian population aged 16--19 years who were not enrolled in school and were not high school graduates ranged from 14% to 30% (median: 17%) (10).†† Second, the extent of underreporting or overreporting of behaviors cannot be determined, although the survey questions demonstrate good test-retest reliability (3). Third, BMI is calculated on the basis of self-reported height and weight and, therefore, tends to underestimate the prevalence of obesity and overweight (6).

Conclusion

YRBS data collected by the Pacific Island territories will be used for decision making and evidence-based program planning. Education agencies in the territories use the YRBS data to establish health education and health promotion goals, to support curricular modifications, to support legislation that promotes health, and to seek funding for new initiatives.

References

  1. Kung HS, Hoyert DL, Xu J, Murphy SL. Deaths: final data for 2005. Advance data from vital and health statistics, no. 56(10). Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics; 2008.
  2. Brener ND, Kann L, Kinchen S, et al. Methodology of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. MMWR 2004:53(No. RR-12).
  3. Brener ND, Kann L, McManus T, Kinchen SA, Sundberg EC, Ross JG. Reliability of the 1999 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Questionnaire. J Adolesc Health 2002;31:336--42.
  4. Kuczmarski RJ, Ogden CL, Grummer-Strawn LM, et al. CDC growth charts: United States. In: Advance data from vital and health statistics, no. 314. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics; 2000.
  5. Barlow SE and the Expert Committee. Expert Committee recommendations regarding the prevention, assessment, and treatment of child and adolescent overweight and obesity: summary report. Pediatrics 2007;120:S164--S192.
  6. Brener ND, McManus T, Galuska DA, Lowry R, Wechsler H. Reliability and validity of self-reported height and weight among high school students. J Adolesc Health 2003;32:281--7.
  7. SAS Institute, Inc. SAS,® version 9.1 [software and documentation]. Cary, NC: SAS Institute; 2003.
  8. Research Triangle Institute. SUDAAN,® version 9.0.1 [software and documentation]. Triangle Park, NC: Research Triangle Institute; 2005.
  9. US Department of Health and Human Services and US Department of Agriculture. Dietary guidelines for Americans 2005. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2005. Available at http://www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines.
  10. Sable J, Gaviola N. Numbers and rates of public high school dropouts: school year 2005--2006: 2005. Washington, DC: US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics; 2007. Publication no. NCES 2008--305. Available at http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2008305.

* Data only available for American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.

† A questionnaire that fails quality control has less than 20 remaining responses after editing or has the same answer to 15 or more questions in a row.

§ Pellet-sized pieces of highly purified cocaine.

A process in which cocaine is dissolved in ether or sodium hydroxide and the precipitate is filtered off.

** 100% fruit juice, fruit, green salad, potatoes (excluding French fries, fried potatoes, or potato chips), carrots, or other vegetables.

†† Data only available for American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.

Territorial Youth Risk Behavior Survey Coordinators

American Samoa, Donna Gurr, American Samoa Department of Education; Guam, Elosie Sanchez, Guam Department of Education; Marshall Islands, Gideon Gideon, Ministry of Education; Northern Mariana Islands, Jackie Quitugua, Public School System; Palau, Debbie Rebluud Nagata, Ministry of Education.

Table 1

TABLE 1. Sample sizes, response rates, and demographic characteristics* — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Territory Student sample size Response rate (%) Sex (%) Grade (%) School Student Overall Female Male 9 10 11 12 American Samoa 3,625 100 87 87 51.1 48.9 26.5 25.0 25.6 22.7 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 2,292 100 81 81 48.9 51.1 31.4 28.5 19.1 20.8 Guam 1,716 100 78 78 46.8 53.2 34.2 25.0 23.4 17.1 Republic of the Marshall Islands 1,522 100 82 82 49.0 51.0 32.8 24.2 25.4 17.4 Republic of Palau 732 100 90 90 50.4 49.6 35.9 29.2 13.8 21.0 * Weighted population estimates for each territory.
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Table 2

TABLE 2. Percentage of high school students who rarely or never wore a seat belt* or a bicycle helmet,† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Rarely or never wore a seat belt Rarely or never wore a bicycle helmet Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 29.9 —Ά 32.0 — 30.9 — 79.1 — 78.6 — 78.8 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 14.8 — 16.8 — 15.8 — 93.4 — 94.0 — 93.8 — Guam 10.9 8.4–14.0 12.6 10.2–15.4 11.8 10.2–13.7 92.9 89.9–95.1 93.1 90.9–94.8 92.9 91.1–94.4 Republic of the Marshall Islands 56.4 — 56.3 — 56.4 — 72.7 — 71.0 — 71.9 — Republic of Palau 83.0 — 83.6 — 83.2 — 98.8 — 96.3 — 97.6 — Median 29.9 32.0 30.9 92.9 93.1 92.9 Range 10.9–83.0 12.3–83.6 11.8–83.2 72.7–98.8 71.0–96.3 71.9–97.6 * When riding in a car driven by someone else. † Among students who had ridden a bicycle during the 12 months before the survey. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 3

TABLE 3. Percentage of high school students who rode in a car or other vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol* and who drove a car or other vehicle when they had been drinking alcohol,* by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol Drove when drinking alcohol Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI† % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 30.1 —§ 45.2 — 37.6 — 5.3 — 10.3 — 7.8 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 48.5 — 47.8 — 48.1 — 10.1 — 19.9 — 15.0 — Guam 32.9 29.2–36.9 36.3 32.9–39.9 34.8 32.4–37.4 5.6 3.9–8.0 9.7 7.5–12.4 7.8 6.2–9.8 Republic of the Marshall Islands — — — — — — 9.6 — 14.2 — 11.9 — Republic of Palau 44.9 — 54.6 — 49.8 — 9.1 — 22.9 — 16.1 — Median 38.9 46.5 42.8 9.1 14.2 11.9 Range 30.1–48.5 36.3–54.6 34.8–49.8 5.3–10.1 9.7–22.9 7.8–16.1 * One or more times during the 30 days before the survey. † 95% confidence interval. § Not available.
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Table 4

TABLE 4. Percentage of high school students who carried a weapon*† and who carried a gun,† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Carried a weapon Carried a gun Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 11.2 —Ά 34.1 — 22.2 — 3.6 — 16.1 — 9.7 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 9.5 — 29.6 — 19.6 — 3.1 — 11.6 — 7.4 — Guam 7.7 6.0–9.9 25.0 21.5–28.9 16.9 14.5–19.5 1.9 1.1–3.4 7.9 5.8–10.6 5.1 3.9–6.7 Republic of the Marshall Islands 10.8 — 24.7 — 17.8 — — — — — — — Republic of Palau 22.5 — 42.8 — 32.0 — 8.5 — 16.1 — 12.1 — Median 10.8 29.6 19.6 3.3 13.8 8.5 Range 7.7–22.5 24.7–42.8 16.9–32.0 1.9–8.5 7.9–16.1 5.1–12.1 * For example, a gun, knife, or club. † On at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 5

TABLE 5. Percentage of high school students who were in a physical fight* and who were injured in a physical fight,*† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 In a physical fight Injured in a physical fight Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 46.0 —Ά 63.6 — 54.4 — 7.6 — 14.7 — 11.1 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 25.5 — 37.0 — 31.4 — 3.1 — 5.9 — 4.5 — Guam 25.7 22.5–29.2 41.3 37.2–45.5 34.1 31.5–36.9 2.6 1.6–4.1 6.7 5.2–8.6 5.0 3.9–6.3 Republic of the Marshall Islands 30.5 — 50.1 — 40.3 — 8.8 — 14.4 — 11.6 — Republic of Palau 17.8 — 36.0 — 27.0 — 4.9 — 4.3 — 4.6 — Median 25.7 41.3 34.1 4.9 6.7 5.0 Range 17.8–46.0 36.0–63.6 27.0–54.4 2.6–8.8 4.3–14.7 4.5–11.6 * One or more times during the 12 months before the survey. † Injuries had to be treated by a doctor or nurse. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 6

TABLE 6. Percentage of high school students who experienced dating violence* and who were ever physically forced to have sexual intercourse,† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Dating violence Forced to have sexual intercourse Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 14.8 —Ά 18.4 — 16.7 — 25.8 — 19.4 — 22.8 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 13.0 — 14.9 — 14.1 — 18.1 — 11.9 — 14.9 — Guam 12.5 10.2–15.2 14.1 11.8–16.8 13.3 11.5–15.5 17.7 14.8–20.9 8.8 6.9–11.2 12.9 11.0–15.1 Republic of the Marshall Islands 25.9 — 35.5 — 30.8 — 32.8 — 38.9 — 35.8 — Republic of Palau 17.4 — 10.0 — 13.7 — 19.0 — 23.1 — 21.0 — Median 14.8 14.9 14.1 19.0 19.4 21.0 Range 12.5–25.9 10.0–35.5 13.3–30.8 17.7–32.8 8.8–38.9 12.9–35.8 * Hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend during the 12 months before the survey. † When they did not want to. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 7

TABLE 7. Percentage of high school students who carried a weapon on school property*† and who were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property,†§ by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Carried a weapon on school property Threatened or injured with a weapon on school property Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CIΆ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 4.6 —** 12.4 — 8.4 — 7.2 — 13.5 — 10.3 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 4.1 — 11.7 — 8.0 — 4.8 — 9.3 — 7.2 — Guam 2.8 1.8–4.4 7.8 6.0–10.1 5.4 4.2–7.0 5.2 3.7–7.2 12.5 10.2–15.1 9.3 7.7–11.1 Republic of the Marshall Islands 4.6 — 12.2 — 8.4 — 17.5 — 23.3 — 20.5 — Republic of Palau 10.5 — 25.2 — 17.6 — 10.5 — 18.3 — 14.3 — Median 4.6 12.2 8.4 7.2 13.5 10.3 Range 2.8–10.5 7.8–25.2 5.4–17.6 4.8–17.5 9.3–23.3 7.2–20.5 * On at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey. † For example, a gun, knife, or club. § One or more times during the 12 months before the survey. Ά 95% confidence interval. ** Not available.
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Table 8

TABLE 8. Percentage of high school students who were in a physical fight on school property* and who had their property stolen or deliberately damaged on school property,*† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 In a physical fight on school property Had property stolen or deliberately damaged on school property Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 26.0 —Ά 40.8 — 33.1 — 51.0 — 49.3 — 50.2 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 9.5 — 15.3 — 12.4 — 26.0 — 27.2 — 26.7 — Guam 10.8 8.6–13.5 20.1 17.1–23.5 16.0 14.1–18.2 36.6 32.8–40.6 37.3 34.2–40.6 37.1 34.7–39.5 Republic of the Marshall Islands 11.6 — 19.0 — 15.3 — 48.9 — 58.2 — 53.7 — Republic of Palau 11.0 — 21.1 — 16.1 — 24.1 — 21.2 — 22.6 — Median 11.0 20.1 16.0 36.6 37.3 37.1 Range 9.5–26.0 15.3–40.8 12.4–33.1 24.1–51.0 21.2–58.2 22.6–53.7 * One or more times during the 12 months before the survey. † For example, car, clothing, or books. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 9

TABLE 9. Percentage of high school students who did not go to school because they felt unsafe at school or on their way to or from school,* by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Female Male Total Territory % CI† % CI % CI American Samoa 19.2 —§ 23.0 — 21.2 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 8.4 — 8.9 — 8.8 — Guam 14.1 12.0–16.4 10.5 8.3–13.1 12.3 10.8–13.9 Republic of the Marshall Islands 34.4 — 38.2 — 36.4 — Republic of Palau 11.3 — 11.3 — 11.3 — Median 14.1 11.3 12.3 Range 8.4–34.4 8.9–38.2 8.8–36.4 * On at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey. † 95% confidence interval. § Not available.
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Table 10

TABLE 10. Percentage of high school students who felt sad or hopeless,*† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI American Samoa 45.5 —Ά 37.9 — 41.9 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 49.9 — 34.4 — 42.0 — Guam 52.6 48.4–56.8 31.9 28.8–35.1 41.5 39.1–44.0 Republic of the Marshall Islands 46.3 — 48.2 — 47.3 — Republic of Palau 43.8 — 29.4 — 37.1 — Median 46.3 34.4 41.9 Range 43.8–52.6 29.4–48.2 37.1–47.3 * Almost every day for 2 or more weeks in a row so that they stopped doing some usual activities. † During the 12 months before the survey. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 11

TABLE 11. Percentage of high school students who seriously considered attempting suicide* and who made a plan about how they would attempt suicide, by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Seriously considered attempting suicide Made a suicide plan Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI† % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 30.2 —§ 20.8 — 25.7 — 31.1 — 22.4 — 26.8 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 34.5 — 19.4 — 26.8 — 31.7 — 18.5 — 25.0 — Guam 28.0 24.4–31.8 16.6 14.3–19.2 22.0 20.0–24.1 27.5 24.4–30.8 15.9 13.3–18.8 21.4 19.3–23.6 Republic of the Marshall Islands 25.9 — 25.3 — 25.6 — 29.0 — 30.8 — 30.0 — Republic of Palau 37.6 — 19.6 — 28.9 — 31.6 — 18.7 — 25.4 — Median 30.2 19.6 25.7 31.1 18.7 25.4 Range 25.9–37.6 16.6–25.3 22.0–28.9 27.5–31.7 15.9–30.8 21.4–30.0 * During the 12 months before the survey. † 95% confidence interval. § Not available.
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Table 12

TABLE 12. Percentage of high school students who attempted suicide*† and whose suicide attempt resulted in an injury, poisoning, or overdose that had to be treated by a doctor or nurse,* by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Attempted suicide Suicide attempt treated by a doctor or nurse Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 21.6 —Ά 17.2 — 19.6 — 6.2 — 5.7 — 6.1 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 22.6 — 11.8 — 17.3 — 5.4 — 3.5 — 4.4 — Guam 21.3 17.9–25.1 12.2 9.5–15.4 16.9 14.8–19.2 4.8 3.3–6.9 2.8 1.8–4.5 3.8 2.8–5.1 Republic of the Marshall Islands 23.5 — 26.5 — 25.0 — 12.9 — 15.6 — 14.2 — Republic of Palau 35.7 — 13.4 — 25.3 — 14.7 — 5.3 — 10.2 — Median 22.6 13.4 19.6 6.2 5.3 6.1 Range 21.3–35.7 11.8–26.5 16.9–25.3 4.8–14.7 2.8–15.6 3.8–14.2 * During the 12 months before the survey. † One or more times. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 13

TABLE 13. Percentage of high school students who ever smoked cigarettes, by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Lifetime cigarette use* Lifetime daily cigarette use† Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 56.3 —Ά 57.1 — 56.8 — 13.1 — 14.2 — 13.6 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 78.7 — 77.6 — 78.1 — 15.2 — 14.3 — 14.7 — Guam 67.6 62.9–72.0 71.6 68.0–74.9 69.7 66.6–72.6 16.2 13.2–19.7 17.8 14.9–21.1 17.0 14.8–19.5 Republic of the Marshall Islands 53.1 — 71.2 — 62.2 — 12.6 — 22.3 — 17.6 — Republic of Palau 76.3 — 76.8 — 76.5 — 13.0 — 20.3 — 16.6 — Median 67.6 71.6 69.7 13.1 17.8 16.6 Range 53.1–78.7 57.1–77.6 56.8–78.1 12.6–16.2 14.2–22.3 13.6–17.6 * Ever tried cigarette smoking, even one or two puffs. † Ever smoked at least one cigarette every day for 30 days. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 14

TABLE 14. Percentage of high school students who currently smoked cigarettes, by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Current cigarette use* Current frequent cigarette use† Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 25.4 —Ά 22.9 — 24.2 — 6.7 — 11.5 — 9.1 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 31.1 — 31.2 — 31.1 — 9.1 — 7.2 — 8.2 — Guam 20.4 16.9–24.4 25.4 22.0–29.1 23.1 20.2–26.1 10.7 8.3–13.8 13.9 11.2–17.2 12.5 10.4–14.9 Republic of the Marshall Islands 24.4 — 40.9 — 32.4 — 5.3 — 21.3 — 13.1 — Republic of Palau 30.6 — 44.4 — 37.6 — 2.6 — 19.3 — 11.0 — Median 25.4 31.2 31.1 6.7 13.9 11.0 Range 20.4–31.1 22.9–44.4 23.1–37.6 2.6–10.7 7.2–21.3 8.2–13.1 * Smoked cigarettes on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey. † Smoked cigarettes on 20 or more days during the 30 days before the survey. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 15

TABLE 15. Percentage of high school students who currently smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day* and who tried to quit smoking cigarettes,† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day Tried to quit smoking cigarettes Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 6.5 —Ά 18.1 — 11.8 — 86.5 — 82.5 — 84.5 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 5.3 — 6.5 — 5.9 — 75.7 — 72.3 — 74.0 — Guam 8.2 4.6–14.1 11.5 7.8–16.5 10.0 7.1–13.9 81.4 74.2–86.9 82.3 75.8–87.4 81.9 77.1–85.9 Republic of the Marshall Islands 6.1 — 7.5 — 6.9 — 91.7 — 87.6 — 89.3 — Republic of Palau — — 7.8 — 4.7 — — — 70.8 — 75.0 — Median 6.3 7.8 6.9 83.9 82.3 81.9 Range 5.3–8.2 6.5–18.1 4.7–11.8 75.7–91.7 70.8–87.6 74.0–89.3 * On the days they smoked during the 30 days before the survey, among students who currently smoked cigarettes. † During the 12 months before the survey, among students who currently smoked cigarettes. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 16

TABLE 16. Percentage of high school students who usually obtained their own cigarettes by buying them in a store or gas station* and who currently used smokeless tobacco,† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Bought cigarettes in a store or gas station Current smokeless tobacco use Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 13.3 —Ά 17.0 — 14.9 — 2.7 — 6.8 — 4.7 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 21.6 — 40.6 — 30.8 — 28.7 — 43.7 — 36.3 — Guam 12.1 7.3–19.4 21.3 14.5–30.2 17.3 12.7–23.2 8.7 6.7–11.4 17.3 14.3–20.9 13.4 11.3–15.9 Republic of the Marshall Islands 21.4 — 33.4 — 28.1 — 21.6 — 42.3 — 32.0 — Republic of Palau — — 12.8 — 15.7 — 39.0 — 35.5 — 37.3 — Median 17.3 21.3 17.3 21.6 35.5 32.0 Range 12.1–21.6 12.8–40.6 14.9–30.8 2.7–39.0 6.8–43.7 4.7–37.3 * During the 30 days before the survey, among students who were aged <18 years and who currently smoked cigarettes. † Used chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 17

TABLE 17. Percentage of high school students who currently smoked cigars* and who currently used tobacco,† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Current cigar use Current tobacco use Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 6.1 —Ά 11.4 — 8.8 — 26.1 — 24.6 — 25.4 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 6.6 — 12.2 — 9.5 — 40.5 — 50.5 — 45.3 — Guam 3.1 2.0–4.8 9.0 7.1–11.2 6.5 5.2–8.2 23.4 19.6–27.7 30.5 26.4–34.8 27.0 23.8–30.5 Republic of the Marshall Islands 19.7 — 29.8 — 24.9 — 28.1 — 50.7 — 38.8 — Republic of Palau 22.5 — 31.8 — 27.1 — 47.4 — 54.1 — 50.9 — Median 6.6 12.2 9.5 28.1 50.5 38.8 Range 3.1–22.5 9.0–31.8 6.5–27.1 23.4–47.4 24.6–54.1 25.4–50.9 * Smoked cigars, cigarillos, or little cigars on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey. † Current cigarette use, current smokeless tobacco use, or current cigar use. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 18

TABLE 18. Percentage of high school students who drank alcohol, by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Lifetime alcohol use* Current alcohol use† Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 43.9 —Ά 49.7 — 46.6 — 28.7 — 31.1 — 29.8 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 70.5 — 69.1 — 69.8 — 39.5 — 42.6 — 41.1 — Guam 68.0 63.2–72.5 69.1 64.9–73.1 68.5 64.8–72.0 33.4 29.0–38.2 36.2 32.2–40.4 34.9 31.9–38.0 Republic of the Marshall Islands 44.0 — 66.4 — 55.0 — 33.4 — 51.0 — 41.7 — Republic of Palau 61.8 — 66.8 — 64.3 — 29.0 — 42.4 — 36.0 — Median 61.8 66.8 64.3 33.4 42.4 36.0 Range 43.9–70.5 49.7–69.1 46.6–69.8 28.7–39.5 31.1–51.0 29.8–41.7 * Had at least one drink of alcohol on at least 1 day during their life. † Had at least one drink of alcohol on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 19

TABLE 19. Percentage of high school students who had five or more drinks of alcohol in a row* and who usually obtained the alcohol they drank by buying it in a store,† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Episodic heavy drinking Bought alcohol in a store Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 16.3 —Ά 20.3 — 18.3 — 8.0 — 19.4 — 13.5 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 21.3 — 29.2 — 25.5 — — — — — — — Guam 16.3 13.1–20.2 21.6 18.3–25.3 19.2 16.5–22.2 10.1 6.3–15.7 17.6 13.0–23.4 14.0 10.8–18.0 Republic of the Marshall Islands 22.6 — 30.8 — 26.6 — —§ — — — — — Republic of Palau 15.6 — 31.0 — 23.3 — — — 17.0 — 12.7 — Median 16.3 29.2 23.3 9.0 17.6 13.5 Range 15.6–22.6 20.3–31.0 18.3–26.6 8.0–10.1 17.0–19.4 12.7–14.0 * Within a couple of hours on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey. † Such as a liquor store, convenience store, supermarket, discount store, or gas station, among students who currently drank alcohol during the 30 days before the survey. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 20

TABLE 20. Percentage of high school students who used marijuana, by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Lifetime marijuana use* Current marijuana use† Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 10.6 —Ά 25.3 — 17.6 — 5.6 — 15.2 — 10.2 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 48.7 — 61.0 — 54.9 — 26.3 — 37.5 — 31.9 — Guam 40.6 35.3–46.1 49.9 45.5–54.3 45.5 41.7–49.4 20.5 17.3–24.1 25.6 21.8–29.7 23.3 20.7–26.1 Republic of the Marshall Islands 5.5 — 22.4 — 13.9 — 3.2 — 14.1 — 8.5 — Republic of Palau 55.6 — 64.3 — 59.8 — 33.0 — 43.7 — 38.5 — Median 40.6 49.9 45.5 20.5 25.6 23.3 Range 5.5–55.6 22.4–64.3 13.9–59.8 3.2–33.0 14.1–43.7 8.5–38.5 * Used marijuana one or more times during their life. † Used marijuana one or more times during the 30 days before the survey. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 21

TABLE 21. Percentage of high school students who used cocaine, by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Lifetime cocaine use* Current cocaine use† Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 2.9 —Ά 7.9 — 5.4 — 1.5 — 4.3 — 3.0 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 2.8 — 6.3 — 4.7 — 1.7 — 4.0 — 2.9 — Guam 2.5 1.4–4.4 6.4 4.7–8.7 4.6 3.6–6.0 1.0 0.5–2.0 2.8 1.9–4.2 2.0 1.4–2.8 Republic of the Marshall Islands 5.8 — 9.5 — 7.7 — 3.9 — 6.7 — 5.3 — Republic of Palau 3.9 — 8.0 — 5.9 — 1.7 — 5.5 — 3.5 — Median 2.9 7.9 5.4 1.7 4.3 3.0 Range 2.5–5.8 6.3–9.5 4.6–7.7 1.0–3.9 2.8–6.7 2.0–5.3 * Used any form of cocaine (e.g., powder, crack, or freebase) one or more times during their life. † Used any form of cocaine one or more times during the 30 days before the survey. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 22

TABLE 22. Percentage of high school students who injected illegal drugs* and who used inhalants,† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Lifetime illegal injection-drug use Lifetime inhalant use Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 3.8 —Ά 8.0 — 5.9 — 10.6 — 12.6 — 11.6 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 2.4 — 5.5 — 4.1 — — — — — — — Guam 2.1 1.3–3.3 5.4 3.8–7.5 4.1 3.1–5.4 13.7 11.5–16.4 14.1 12.2–16.3 14.0 12.4–15.7 Republic of the Marshall Islands 14.1 — 15.8 — 15.0 — — — — — — — Republic of Palau 3.8 — 6.5 — 5.1 — 7.3 — 10.5 — 8.8 — Median 3.8 6.5 5.1 10.6 12.6 11.6 Range 2.1–14.1 5.4–15.8 4.1–15.0 7.3–13.7 10.5–14.1 8.8–14.0 * Used a needle to inject any illegal drug into their body one or more times during their life. † Sniffed glue, breathed the contents of aerosol spray cans, or inhaled any paints or sprays to get high one or more times during their life. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 23

Survey, 2007 Female Male Total Territory % CI† % CI % CI American Samoa 3.8 —§ 9.4 — 6.5 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 3.3 — 6.1 — 4.9 — Guam 3.5 2.4–5.1 5.5 4.0–7.5 4.8 3.8–6.1 Republic of the Marshall Islands — — — — — — Republic of Palau 4.6 — 6.0 — 5.3 — Median 3.6 6.0 5.1 Range 3.3–4.6 5.5–9.4 4.8–6.5 * Took steroid pills or shots without a doctor’s prescription one or more times during their life. † 95% confidence interval. § Not available.
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Table 24

TABLE 24. Percentage of high school students who used heroin* and who used methamphetamines,† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Lifetime heroin use Lifetime methamphetamine use Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 2.7 —Ά 7.9 — 5.3 — 2.7 — 8.6 — 5.7 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 1.9 — 5.0 — 3.5 — 3.2 — 6.2 — 4.9 — Guam 1.7 1.0–2.9 5.0 3.4–7.2 3.6 2.5–5.0 3.7 2.5–5.4 7.5 5.6–9.9 5.9 4.7–7.3 Republic of the Marshall Islands 7.5 — 11.6 — 9.6 — 10.5 — 15.4 — 13.1 — Republic of Palau 3.3 — 7.3 — 5.2 — 4.3 — 9.9 — 7.1 — Median 2.7 7.3 5.2 3.7 8.6 5.9 Range 1.7–7.5 5.0–11.6 3.5–9.6 2.7–10.5 6.2–15.4 4.9–13.1 * Used heroin (also called “smack,” “junk,” or “China White”) one or more times during their life. † Used methamphetamines (also called “speed,” “crystal,” “crank,” or “ice”) one or more times during their life. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 25

TABLE 25. Percentage of high school students who used ecstasy (lifetime ecstasy use),* by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Female Male Total Territory % CI† % CI % CI American Samoa 2.2 —§ 7.7 — 5.0 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 2.5 — 6.7 — 4.7 — Guam 3.2 2.1–4.9 7.8 5.7–10.4 5.8 4.5–7.5 Republic of the Marshall Islands — — — — — — Republic of Palau 4.9 — 9.1 — 6.9 — Median 2.9 7.7 5.4 Range 2.2–4.9 6.7–9.1 4.7–6.9 * Used ecstasy (also called “MDMA”) one or more times during their life. † 95% confidence interval. § Not available.
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Table 26

TABLE 26. Percentage of high school students who smoked a whole cigarette and who drank alcohol* for the first time before age 13 years, by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Smoked a whole cigarette before age 13 years Drank alcohol before age 13 years Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI† % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 14.9 —§ 18.8 — 16.8 — 10.5 — 17.4 — 13.9 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 27.4 — 29.8 — 28.6 — 25.0 — 29.6 — 27.4 — Guam 23.7 20.7–27.0 25.2 22.0–28.8 24.5 22.1–27.1 22.2 18.4–26.5 25.5 21.8–29.6 24.0 20.8–27.5 Republic of the Marshall Islands 6.2 — 7.5 — 6.9 — 6.9 — 14.8 — 10.9 — Republic of Palau 19.4 — 25.7 — 22.7 — 15.4 — 26.4 — 20.8 — Median 19.4 25.2 22.7 15.4 25.5 20.8 Range 6.2–27.4 7.5–29.8 6.9–28.6 6.9–25.0 14.8–29.6 10.9–27.4 * Other than a few sips. † 95% confidence interval. § Not available.
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Table 27

TABLE 27. Percentage of high school students who tried marijuana for the first time before age 13 years, by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Female Male Total Territory % CI* % CI % CI American Samoa 3.1 —† 11.0 — 7.0 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 12.3 — 27.5 — 19.9 — Guam 9.9 7.8–12.6 20.2 16.8–24.2 15.4 13.1–17.9 Republic of the Marshall Islands 3.0 — 6.0 — 4.5 — Republic of Palau 9.4 — 29.0 — 18.9 — Median 9.4 20.2 15.4 Range 3.0–12.3 6.0–29.0 4.5–19.9 * 95% confidence interval. † Not available.
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Table 28

TABLE 28. Percentage of high school students who used tobacco on school property, by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Smoked cigarettes on school property* Used smokeless tobacco on school property† Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 9.0 —Ά 10.2 — 9.6 — 1.6 — 4.3 — 3.0 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 7.3 — 6.1 — 6.7 — 22.3 — 35.0 — 28.7 — Guam 8.7 6.6–11.3 11.5 9.3–14.2 10.2 8.5–12.2 5.8 4.3–7.8 12.2 9.5–15.5 9.3 7.6–11.4 Republic of the Marshall Islands 9.8 — 23.1 — 16.3 — 14.1 — 28.0 — 21.1 — Republic of Palau 10.7 — 21.5 — 16.1 — 33.5 — 29.0 — 31.3 — Median 9.0 11.5 10.2 14.1 28.0 21.1 Range 7.3–10.7 6.1–23.1 6.7–16.3 1.6–33.5 4.3–35.0 3.0–31.3 * On at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey. † Chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 29

TABLE 29. Percentage of high school students who drank alcohol* and who used marijuana on school property,† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Drank alcohol on school property Used marijuana on school property Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 8.5 —Ά 10.3 — 9.4 — 3.1 — 7.8 — 5.3 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 5.5 — 7.3 — 6.5 — 8.5 — 13.5 — 11.0 — Guam 4.6 3.2–6.6 5.8 4.4–7.6 5.4 4.3–6.7 9.0 7.1–11.5 11.0 8.9–13.7 10.1 8.5–11.9 Republic of the Marshall Islands 11.7 — 18.9 — 15.3 — 2.3 — 6.7 — 4.5 — Republic of Palau 5.8 — 7.9 — 6.8 — 15.8 — 25.9 — 20.9 — Median 5.8 7.9 6.8 8.5 11.0 10.1 Range 4.6–11.7 5.8–18.9 5.4–15.3 2.3–15.8 6.7–25.9 4.5–20.9 * At least one drink of alcohol on at least 1 day during the 30 days before the survey. † One or more times during the 30 days before the survey. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 30

TABLE 30. Percentage of high school students who were offered, sold, or given an illegal drug by someone on school property,* by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Female Male Total Territory % CI† % CI % CI American Samoa 23.6 —§ 30.2 — 26.8 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 29.9 — 42.3 — 36.3 — Guam 30.7 27.3–34.2 42.0 38.2–45.9 36.8 33.8–39.9 Republic of the Marshall Islands 19.7 — 28.5 — 24.1 — Republic of Palau 29.0 — 28.3 — 28.7 — Median 29.0 30.2 28.7 Range 19.7–30.7 28.3–42.3 24.1–36.8 * During the 12 months before the survey. † 95% confidence interval. § Not available.
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Table 31

TABLE 31. Percentage of high school students who ever had sexual intercourse and who had sexual intercourse for the first time before age 13 years, by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Ever had sexual intercourse Had first sexual intercourse before age 13 years Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI* % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 23.4 —† 42.6 — 32.0 — 3.8 — 11.6 — 7.4 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 48.2 — 51.3 — 49.7 — 6.5 — 13.2 — 9.8 — Guam 45.1 39.3–51.0 44.9 40.3–49.6 45.0 40.9–49.2 6.3 4.6–8.7 10.1 7.8–13.2 8.3 6.7–10.3 Republic of the Marshall Islands 47.0 — 72.0 — 59.0 — 3.0 — 14.3 — 8.3 — Republic of Palau 29.7 — 50.4 — 39.4 — 3.0 — 17.1 — 9.5 — Median 45.1 50.4 45.0 3.8 13.2 8.3 Range 23.4–48.2 42.6–72.0 32.0–59.0 3.0–6.5 10.1–17.1 7.4–9.8 * 95% confidence interval. † Not available.
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Table 32

TABLE 32. Percentage of high school students who had sexual intercourse with four or more persons during their life and who were currently sexually active,* by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Had sexual intercourse with four or more persons during their life Currently sexually active Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI† % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 4.7 —§ 18.9 — 11.2 — 14.4 — 26.6 — 20.0 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 10.1 — 19.6 — 14.7 — 34.0 — 34.3 — 34.1 — Guam 9.7 7.4–12.5 12.2 9.7–15.3 11.0 9.2–13.1 32.8 28.3–37.7 26.9 23.0–31.1 29.9 26.6–33.3 Republic of the Marshall Islands 10.4 — 29.0 — 19.2 — 34.0 — 45.4 — 39.3 — Republic of Palau 4.8 — 30.8 — 16.9 — 20.6 — 35.0 — 27.3 — Median 9.7 19.6 14.7 32.8 34.3 29.9 Range 4.7–10.4 12.2–30.8 11.0–19.2 14.4–34.0 26.6–45.4 20.0–39.3 * Had sexual intercourse with at least one person during the 3 months before the survey. † 95% confidence interval. § Not available.
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Table 33

TABLE 33. Percentage of high school students who used a condom during last sexual intercourse* and who used birth control pills before last sexual intercourse,*† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Condom use Birth control pill use Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 34.5 —Ά 45.7 — 41.2 — 4.0 — 2.9 — 3.8 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 34.0 — 46.6 — 40.1 — 8.7 — 12.4 — 10.5 — Guam 27.0 21.7–33.1 44.6 35.8–53.7 35.1 30.2–40.4 5.9 3.5–9.8 8.4 4.9–14.0 7.0 4.7–10.2 Republic of the Marshall Islands 47.5 — 52.8 — 50.2 — 6.2 — 9.2 — 7.8 — Republic of Palau — — — — 49.4 — — — — — 9.3 — Median 34.3 46.2 41.2 6.0 8.8 7.8 Range 27.0–47.5 44.6–52.8 35.1–50.2 4.0–8.7 2.9–12.4 3.8–10.5 * Among students who were currently sexually active. † To prevent pregnancy. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 34

TABLE 34. Percentage of high school students who drank alcohol or used drugs before last sexual intercourse* and who were ever taught in school about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Drank alcohol or used drugs before last sexual intercourse Were taught in school about AIDS or HIV infection Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI† % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 27.3 —§ 38.2 — 33.9 — 57.1 — 52.1 — 54.6 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 19.9 — 37.5 — 28.4 — 85.0 — 79.9 — 82.3 — Guam 11.2 7.2–17.1 24.2 18.6–31.0 17.0 13.5–21.2 87.9 84.7–90.5 82.9 79.8–85.6 85.2 82.7–87.4 Republic of the Marshall Islands 26.2 — 40.5 — 33.8 — 44.6 — 47.3 — 46.0 — Republic of Palau — — — — 36.3 — 77.1 — 80.5 — 78.8 — Median 23.0 37.8 33.8 77.1 79.9 78.8 Range 11.2–27.3 24.2–40.5 17.0–36.3 44.6–87.9 47.3–82.9 46.0–85.2 * Among students who were currently sexually active. † 95% confidence interval. § Not available.
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Table 35

TABLE 35. Percentage of high school students who ate fruits and vegetables* five or more times per day† and who drank three or more glasses per day of milk,† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Ate fruits and vegetables five or more times per day Drank three or more glasses per day of milk Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 27.3 —Ά 27.1 — 27.2 — 13.5 — 18.7 — 15.9 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 18.2 — 24.1 — 21.3 — 7.3 — 15.6 — 11.5 — Guam 16.5 13.9–19.6 16.0 13.5–18.9 16.4 14.3–18.6 5.1 3.7–7.0 7.8 5.9–10.1 6.5 5.3–8.0 Republic of the Marshall Islands — — — — — — 13.0 — 12.8 — 12.9 — Republic of Palau 17.0 — 22.6 — 19.8 — 8.8 — 9.0 — 8.9 — Median 17.6 23.3 20.5 8.8 12.8 11.5 Range 16.5–27.3 16.0–27.1 16.4–27.2 5.1–13.5 7.8–18.7 6.5–15.9 * 100% fruit juice, fruit, green salad, potatoes (excluding French fries, fried potatoes, or potato chips), carrots, or other vegetables. † During the 7 days before the survey. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 36

TABLE 36. Percentage of high school students who drank a can, bottle, or glass of soda or pop* at least one time per day,† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Female Male Total Territory % CI† % CI % CI American Samoa 39.1 —Ά 30.5 — 34.9 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands — — — — — — Guam 22.1 19.0–25.4 22.3 18.6–26.5 22.1 20.0–24.4 Republic of the Marshall Islands — — — — — — Republic of Palau 35.9 — 39.1 — 37.6 — Median 35.9 30.5 34.9 Range 22.1–39.1 22.3–39.1 22.1–37.6 * Not including diet soda or diet pop. † During the 7 days before the survey. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 37

TABLE 37. Percentage of high school students who met recommended levels of physical activity* and who did not participate in 60 or more minutes of physical activity on any day,† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Met recommended levels of physical activity Did not participate in 60 or more minutes of physical activity on any day Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 17.9 —Ά 28.0 — 22.8 — 30.8 — 30.3 — 30.6 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands — — — — — — — — — — — — Guam 24.7 21.3–28.6 36.9 33.1–40.8 31.1 28.7–33.6 23.5 20.5–26.7 16.0 13.0–19.6 19.5 17.4–21.8 Republic of the Marshall Islands — — — — — — — — — — — — Republic of Palau 29.6 — 42.8 — 36.0 — 24.9 — 16.6 — 20.8 — Median 24.7 36.9 31.1 24.9 16.6 20.8 Range 17.9–29.6 28.0–42.8 22.8–36.0 23.5–30.8 16.0–30.3 19.5–30.6 * Were physically active doing any kind of physical activity that increased their heart rate and made them breathe hard some of the time for a total of at least 60 minutes per day on 5 or more days during the 7 days before the survey. † Did not participate in 60 or more minutes of any kind of physical activity that increased their heart rate and made them breathe hard some of the time on at least 1 day during the 7 days before the survey. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 38

TABLE 38. Percentage of high school students who played video or computer games or used a computer* for 3 or more hours per day† and who watched 3 or more hours per day of television,† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Used computers 3 or more hours per day Watched television 3 or more hours per day Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 23.3 —Ά 27.8 — 25.4 — 38.1 — 31.5 — 34.9 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands — — — — — — 32.9 — 31.5 — 32.1 — Guam 33.0 28.8–37.6 32.2 29.1–35.4 32.7 30.4–35.1 40.7 37.2–44.3 33.7 30.3–37.2 36.9 34.4–39.5 Republic of the Marshall Islands — — — — — — 18.1 — 20.4 — 19.3 — Republic of Palau 12.7 — 22.8 — 17.7 — 31.3 — 32.3 — 31.9 — Median 23.3 27.8 25.4 32.9 31.5 32.1 Range 12.7–33.0 22.8–32.2 17.7–32.7 18.1–40.7 20.4–33.7 19.3–36.9 * For something that was not school work. † On an average school day. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 39

TABLE 39. Percentage of high school students who attended physical education (PE) classes, by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Attended PE classes* Attended PE classes daily† Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 57.7 —Ά 57.9 — 57.8 — 28.4 — 23.2 — 25.9 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 41.2 — 47.5 — 44.4 — 28.6 — 30.0 — 29.3 — Guam 44.2 35.2–53.7 46.2 38.9–53.6 45.3 37.7–53.0 9.4 7.1–12.3 11.9 9.6–14.6 10.7 8.8–12.8 Republic of the Marshall Islands 50.8 — 61.1 — 55.9 — 13.7 — 15.8 — 14.7 — Republic of Palau 39.4 — 51.7 — 45.4 — 26.9 — 34.5 — 30.7 — Median 44.2 51.7 45.4 26.9 23.2 25.9 Range 39.4–57.7 46.2–61.1 44.4–57.8 9.4–28.6 11.9–34.5 10.7–30.7 * On 1 or more days in an average week when they were in school. † 5 days in an average week when they were in school. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 40

TABLE 40. Percentage of high school students who played on at least one sports team,* by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Female Male Total Territory % CI† % CI % CI American Samoa 57.7 —§ 71.6 — 64.3 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 31.3 — 52.0 — 41.8 — Guam 36.4 32.4–40.7 50.4 46.3–54.4 43.7 40.7–46.7 Republic of the Marshall Islands 64.4 — 68.2 — 66.3 — Republic of Palau 47.2 — 64.0 — 55.4 — Median 47.2 64.0 55.4 Range 31.3–64.4 50.4–71.6 41.8–66.3 * Run by their school or community groups during the 12 months before the survey. † 95% confidence interval. § Not available.
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Table 41

TABLE 41. Percentage of high school students who were obese*† and who were overweight,†§ by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Obese Overweight Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CIΆ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 35.5 —** 41.6 — 38.6 — 22.3 — 17.7 — 19.9 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 12.9 — 16.0 — 14.5 — 17.5 — 16.3 — 16.9 — Guam 10.5 8.1–13.3 20.6 17.8–23.7 15.9 14.0–18.0 15.4 12.8–18.4 15.2 12.9–17.8 15.3 13.7–17.1 Republic of the Marshall Islands 24.0 — 27.2 — 25.6 — 17.3 — 12.8 — 15.0 — Republic of Palau 8.8 — 13.9 — 11.3 — 17.5 — 13.3 — 15.4 — Median 12.9 20.6 15.9 17.5 15.2 15.4 Range 8.8–35.5 13.9–41.6 11.3–38.6 15.4–22.3 12.8–17.7 15.0–19.9 * Students who were >95th percentile for body mass index (BMI), by age and sex, based on reference data. † Previous Youth Risk Behavior Survey reports used the term “overweight” to describe youth with a BMI >95th percentile for age and sex and “at risk for overweight” for those with a BMI >85th percentile and <95th percentile. However, this report uses the terms “obese” and “overweight” in accordance with the 2007 recommendations from the Expert Committee on the Assessment, Prevention, and Treatment of Child and Adolescent Overweight and Obesity convened by the American Medical Association (AMA) and cofunded by AMA in collaboration with the Health Resources and Services Administration and CDC. § Students who were >85th percentile but <95th percentile for BMI, by age and sex, based on reference data. Ά 95% confidence interval. ** Not available.
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Table 42

TABLE 42. Percentage of high school students who described themselves as slightly or very overweight and who were trying to lose weight, by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Described themselves as overweight Were trying to lose weight Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI* % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 27.1 —† 18.0 — 22.6 — 60.6 — 48.1 — 54.4 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 30.8 — 19.6 — 25.1 — 58.6 — 38.8 — 48.4 — Guam 32.3 27.9–37.0 28.1 24.5–32.0 30.1 27.1–33.4 58.2 54.0–62.4 39.9 36.2–43.8 48.6 45.5–51.7 Republic of the Marshall Islands 8.9 — 9.6 — 9.2 — 40.8 — 33.4 — 37.1 — Republic of Palau 18.2 — 17.2 — 17.6 — 34.2 — 27.3 — 30.7 — Median 27.1 18.0 22.6 58.2 38.8 48.4 Range 8.9–32.3 9.6–28.1 9.2–30.1 34.2–60.6 27.3–48.1 30.7–54.4 * 95% confidence interval. † Not available.
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Table 43

TABLE 43. Percentage of high school students who ate less food, fewer calories, or low-fat foods* and who exercised,* by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Ate less food, fewer calories, or low-fat foods to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight Exercised to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI† % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 48.6 —§ 47.8 — 48.2 — 67.5 — 69.3 — 68.4 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 43.8 — 34.2 — 38.9 — 61.6 — 65.6 — 63.7 — Guam 46.0 41.3–50.8 36.8 32.9–40.9 41.3 38.2–44.5 63.1 59.0–67.0 63.4 59.8–66.7 63.3 60.7–65.8 Republic of the Marshall Islands 50.9 — 54.3 — 52.5 — 60.4 — 62.2 — 61.3 — Republic of Palau 37.7 — 47.4 — 42.4 — 51.0 — 63.1 — 56.9 — Median 46.0 47.4 42.4 61.6 63.4 63.3 Range 37.7–50.9 34.2–54.3 38.9–52.5 51.0–67.5 62.2–69.3 56.9–68.4 * To lose weight or to keep from gaining weight during the 30 days before the survey. † 95% confidence interval. § Not available.
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Table 44

TABLE 44. Percentage of high school students who did not eat for 24 or more hours* and who took diet pills, powders, or liquids,*† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Did not eat for 24 or more hours to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight Took diet pills, powders, or liquids to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight† Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 29.4 —Ά 27.6 — 28.6 — 8.8 — 18.5 — 13.5 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 19.2 — 13.3 — 16.2 — 5.2 — 6.2 — 5.7 — Guam 19.1 16.7–21.8 15.9 13.0–19.3 17.4 15.3–19.8 6.1 4.6–8.0 10.1 7.8–12.9 8.2 6.7–9.9 Republic of the Marshall Islands 34.7 — 34.5 — 34.5 — 22.0 — 26.9 — 24.4 — Republic of Palau 24.4 — 27.1 — 25.8 — 13.3 — 10.8 — 12.0 — Median 24.4 27.1 25.8 8.8 10.8 12.0 Range 19.1–34.7 13.3–34.5 16.2–34.5 5.2–22.0 6.2–26.9 5.7–24.4 * To lose weight or to keep from gaining weight during the 30 days before the survey. † Without a doctor’s advice. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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Table 45

TABLE 45. Percentage of high school students who vomited or took laxatives,* by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Female Male Total Territory % CI† % CI % CI American Samoa 9.5 —§ 19.2 — 14.2 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 9.1 — 5.9 — 7.6 — Guam 9.5 7.6–11.7 8.8 6.5–12.0 9.2 7.6–11.1 Republic of the Marshall Islands 23.6 — 26.5 — 25.0 — Republic of Palau 14.8 — 12.1 — 13.5 — Median 9.5 12.1 13.5 Range 9.1–23.6 5.9–26.5 7.6–25.0 * To lose weight or to keep from gaining weight during the 30 days before the survey. † 95% confidence interval. § Not available.
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Table 46

TABLE 46. Percentage of high school students who had lifetime asthma* and who had current asthma,† by sex — Pacific Island U.S. Territories, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007 Lifetime asthma Current asthma Female Male Total Female Male Total Territory % CI§ % CI % CI % CI % CI % CI American Samoa 14.4 —Ά 17.9 — 16.2 — 5.4 — 5.9 — 5.7 — Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands — — — — — — — — — — — — Guam 16.1 13.7–18.8 20.7 18.1–23.5 18.5 16.7–20.6 6.6 5.2–8.3 6.5 5.1–8.1 6.5 5.4–7.8 Republic of the Marshall Islands — — — — — — — — — — — — Republic of Palau 15.0 — 16.3 — 15.6 — 6.4 — 5.2 — 5.8 — Median 15.0 17.9 16.2 6.4 5.9 5.8 Range 14.4–16.1 16.3–20.7 15.6–18.5 5.4–6.6 5.2–6.5 5.7–6.5 * Ever told by a doctor or nurse that they had asthma. † Ever told by a doctor or nurse that they had asthma and still have asthma. § 95% confidence interval. Ά Not available.
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