Violence-Related Behaviors Among Iranian University Students: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and its Relationship with Religiosity and Family Support

Background and aims: Violence is recognized as a significant public health problem throughout the world. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of violence-related behaviors and its relationship with other risky behaviors, family support, and religiosity among students in Bushehr.   Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of ۹۷۷ students in Bushehr city, southern Iran, in ۲۰۱۶. Required data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire on violence-related behaviors and other risky behaviors. The validity of the questionnaire was measured by MPH students with a Cronbach’s alpha of ۰.۹۰. Additionally, family support scale and religious belief questionnaire were applied. Data analysis was performed using chi-square, t test, and logistic regression model in SPSS version ۱۶.۰.   Results: The overall prevalence rates of weapon carrying and physical fighting were reported to be ۹.۱% and ۷.۱%, respectively. The findings of this study revealed that hookah use (OR: ۲.۹۳), physical fight (OR: ۵.۶۴), and having unsafe sex (OR: ۲.۴۲) were associated with weapon carrying (P < ۰.۰۰۱). Moreover, male gender (OR: ۳.۳۶), illicit drug use (OR: ۳.۶۴), weapon carrying (OR: ۵.۲۴), and family support (OR: ۰.۹۷) were shown to be associated with physical fight (P < ۰.۰۰۱).   Conclusion: The results of the present study suggested co-occurrence nature of risky behaviors. Given the high prevalence of violence-related behaviors, the implementation of preventive interventions for college students is of great importance.

کلیدواژه ها:

Violence related behaviors ، religiosity ، Family support ، Risk taking behaviors ، Student