Abstract
Introduction: Preparticipation examinations (PPEs), or sports physicals, present opportunities for health care providers to identify and discuss common adolescent health-risk behaviors. We sought to examine the prevalence of health-risk behaviors among high school athletes and the proportion of providers who address these behaviors during PPEs. Method: For this descriptive study we used data from two statewide surveys: a survey of adolescents (n = 46,492) and a survey of nurse practitioners and physicians (n = 561). Results: The most prevalent risk behaviors reported by student athletes were low levels of physical activity (70%), bullying perpetration (41%), and alcohol use (41%). Most providers (≥75%) addressed many common risk behaviors during PPEs but fewer addressed bullying, violence, and prescription drug use. Topics discussed differed by provider type and patient population. Discussion: Many providers addressed critical threats to adolescent health during PPEs, but findings suggest potential disconnects between topics addressed during PPEs and behaviors of athletes.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 17-27 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Journal of Pediatric Health Care |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2015 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was funded through a Young Investigator Award from the Academic Pediatric Association, supported by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics (U04MC07853-03) and supported by Health Resources and Services Administration grant T32HP22239 .
Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.
Keywords
- Adolescent
- Health education
- Preventive services
- Risk behavior
- Sports
PubMed: MeSH publication types
- Journal Article
- Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
