A STUDY ON RISK-TAKING BEHAVIOURS OF ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR PERCEPTION TOWARDS EFFECTS OF HOOKAH USE ON HEALTH

Introduction: The aim of this study is to determine the negative risk-taking behaviours of adolescents and their perceptions towards the effects of hookah use on health, and to evaluate the correlation between them. Methods: The study was conducted in eleven high schools at different socio-economic levels in Sakarya, Turkey between the dates of March-April 2015. The sample of the study included 900 high school students volunteering for the study. The study was descriptive and correlational. The data were collected via a questionnaire and two scales called “Perception Scale of Effects of Hookah use on Health” and “Brief Sensation Seeking Scale of Adults”. Data were evaluated using SPSS 20. Results: It was found out that 50.3 % of the participants were women, 49.7 % were men and 95.2 % lived with their families. It was detected that total score averages for Brief Sensation Seeking Scale was 10.24±3.92 and it was 61.97±11.12 for Perception Scale of Effects of Hookah use on Health. There was a statistically significant correlation between Perception Scale of Effects of Hookah use on Health and Brief Sensation Seeking Scale of Adolescents. Though not a strong one, this correlation is negative (r = -0.204 p=0.001). Conclusion: It was determined that adolescents smoking and using hookah had higher levels of risk-taking behaviours while they had lower perceptions towards effects of hookah use on health.