Association of Truancy and Health Risk Behaviours among School-Going Adolescents in Malaysia

Abstract

Truancy may act as a precursor or a consequence of many behavioural problems that might have potentially deleterious effects. This study examined factors associated with truancy among 27,497 school-going adolescents. Data were obtained from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2017, a cross-sectional survey which targeted Malaysian school-going adolescents aged 13 to 17 years. A two-stage stratified cluster sampling was applied and data collection was conducted using validated self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and multiple variables' logistic regression analysis was applied and p value < 0.05 was considered as a statistically significant result. Overall prevalence of truancy among school-going adolescents in Malaysia was 29.4% (27.78, 31.06). Truancy among Malaysian adolescent is associated with ever drug user [AOR = 2.51; 95% CI: (2.18, 2.90)], current cigarette smoker [AOR = 2.02; 95% CI: (1.86, 2.19)], other ethnicity [AOR = 1.41; 95% CI: (1.18, 1.68)], adolescent's parents who live apart [AOR = 1.38; 95% CI: (1.28, 1.47)], being bullied [AOR = 1.37; 95%-CI = (1.28, 1.47)], older aged [AOR = 1.37; 95% CI: (1.30, 1.45)] and male [AOR = 1.09; 95% CI: (1.03, 1.15)]. Truancy has been associated with various health risk behaviours that may influence its development and adulthood health status. Investigation on the true cause of truancy among adolescent may highlight the underlying problems and plan for further intervention.