The association of weapon carrying and fighting on school property and other health risk and problem behaviors among high school students

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between weapon carrying on school property and engaging in health risk and problem behaviors such as fighting and substance use on school property, fear of attending school, and victimization at school. Designs: A complex 2-stage probability survey (Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey). Setting: High schools in Massachusetts. Participants: Three thousand fifty-four high school students. Main Outcome Measures: Number of days a weapon was carried on school property during the 30 days prior to the survey. Results: The prevalence of self- reported weapon carrying on school property was 15% among male students and 5% among female students (P< .001). Weapon carrying on school property was significantly (P