Data from the survey Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (2017/2018) were published in the Health Statistics and Health Research Database.
According to the study, 86% of Estonian students aged 11, 13 and 15 mostly rate their health as good or very good. However, boys are more satisfied with their health and life than girls.
The results show that smoking starts later. If in 2014, 44% of the 15-year-olds started smoking at the age of 13 or earlier, then in 2018 the proportion was 28%. Smoking once a week or more remained the same, averaging 5%. 52% of those who tried smoking started with an e-cigarette.
Like cigarette smoking, alcohol is first consumed at a later age. However, alcohol consumption and especially getting drunk is still a problem among youth. The latest study showed some positive change: if in 2014, 30% of 15-year-olds got drunk a two or more times in their lifetime, then in 2018 the proportion was 27%. Although getting drunk and smoking have declined significantly year after year, the risk behavior of boys and girls has become more similar.
Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study was carried out in Estonia for the seventh time in spring 2018. 4727 fifth, seventh and ninth grade students from all over Estonia participated in the study, who gave their own assessments of their health and behavior. The survey is part of a WHO international study, which takes place every fourth year. 49 countries/regions in the WHO European Region and North America participates in the international network (www.hbsc.org).