| Keywords |
Family environment ; Family function ; Health problems ; Health risk behaviors ; Children |
| Abstract |
This is a cross sectional descriptive study to explore family environment (family structure and family function), health problems, and health risk behaviors and to determine the relationships among them in school aged children. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from children in four elementary schools and their parents. The data of 1,882 children and same number of their parents were included in data analysis. The majority of their family type was a nuclear family (79.7%); 71% of fathers and 28% of mothers were regularly employed; parents were well educated; and the average number of householder was four. Their mean Family APGAR score was 7.4 (±2.04), which refers highly functional families. In children, 32% had any kind of health problems and the most common health problem was atophy/allergy (15.7%). Their most common health risk behavior was alcohol drinking (42%), followed by being attacked with sexual verbalism (32.2%). Being highly functional family was associated with a nuclear family (F=5.750, p<.001), having regularly employed fathers (F=54.306, p<.001), not employed mothers (F=13.191, p<.001), well educated parents (father, F=55.970, p<.001; mother, F=55.103, p<.001), and absence of children's health problems (t= 7.753, p=.005). Trying health risk behaviors seems associated with lower Family APGAR score, but the results were not statistically significant. In conclusion, family environment, health problems and health risk behaviors in school age children were all associated with each other. It is highly recommended to consider family environment to assess and intervene health problems and health risk behaviors in school age children. |