Violence and related factors among high school students in semirural areas of Eskisehir

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of violence-related behaviors and related factors at school or school environment among high school students educated in the semirural areas of Eskisehir. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. The sample comprised 1465 high school students. Data were collected using a questionnaire that included questions regarding sociodemographic characteristics and the 2013 survey questions of the “Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System” of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS: It was found that 8.5% of students exhibited violent behaviors at school or school environment. According to multiple logistic regression analysis, sex, father’s employment status, smoking, alcohol use, and feeling unsafe were effective independent variables on violence. CONCLUSION: Students had a high rate of violence-related behaviors at school or school environment. Community-based public health interventions are required to solve this problem.