Relationship between Perception, Educational Level, Place, Achievement, and Risk Behavior Among in-school Adolescents in Garut District

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a period that is prone to risky behaviors. The Indonesian National Commission for Child Protection has reported an increasing trend in engagement in risk behaviors among children and adolescents. A total number of 328 drug abuse cases and 153 drug dealing cases were reported from 2011 to 2016, and 93.7%t of adolescents had already been engaged in sexual behaviors. These risk-taking behaviors have led to 967 children who conflict with the law. AIM: This study aimed to identify risky behaviors in adolescents in Tarogong Kidul Subdistrict, Garut District, West Java, Indonesia. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study using cluster random sampling on 1175 in-school adolescents. Six schools were involved. The Adolescent Exploratory and Risk Behavior Rating Scale questionnaire collected data. Data were analysed descriptively and inferentially (Chi-square). RESULTS: Most students had a low risk of engaging in risk behaviors, with a small proportion of students (27.3%) having positive perceptions. There was a relationship between perception of risk behavior and risk behavior with (p = 0.026, OR = 95%, CI = 3.050). A relationship was identified between the level of education and risk behaviour (p = 0.000) and between educational level, grade, academic achievement, and perception of risk behavior (p = 0.000). There is no relationship between gender, student residence, student preservation value, and risk behavior (p = 0.804). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents’ perception of risk behavior and educational level influences their risk behavior, while educational level, grade, and academic achievement are linked to the perception of risk behavior. Gender, student residence, and preservation value do not influence risk behavior. Therefore, it is suggested that this information develops an adolescent prevention model and prevention interventions for adolescents in Garut District.