Prevalence and influencing factors of chronic diseases related behaviors among primary and secondary school students in Zhengzhou city

Objective To examine the status and influencing factors of chronic disease prevention related behaviors among primary and secondary school students in Zhengzhou city of Henan provence and to provide evidences for the development of health education in the schools.Methods Multi-stage stratified random sampling was adopted and 3 331 students were selected from 6 primary schools,6 junior high schools,and 6 senior high schools in 2 districts and 2 counties for a questionnaire survey.SPSS 18 software was used in data analyses.Results Of the students,67.52% had chronic diseases prevention related behaviors.The students reported higher prevalence rates of taking vegetables and fruits on regular basis(86.01%),not smoking or avoiding passive smoking(81.84%),and not drinking alcohol(80.94%)but lower rates of regular physical activity,keeping regular hours in daily life,ensuring sufficient sleeping time,and not eating too much at one meal.No differences in the prevalence rates of health behaviors were observed among the students of different gender and living in different areas(all P >0.05),whereas,grade and whether with a family member working as a health personnel showed influences on chronic disease prevention related behaviors(all P <0.05).Conclusion Chronic diseases prevention related behaviors need to be improved among primary and secondary school students in Zhengzhou municipality.