Youth Health And Health-Risk Behaviour

This article presents the results of the research on the main health indicators of young people from the Republic of Moldova for 2006-2016 years. Mortality rates, Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) prevalence, youth smoking, alcohol and drug use are selected as main indicators of youth health. The study is based on the National Bureau of Statistics data and on the secondary analysis of different Surveys. The indicators of youth health in the Republic of Moldova have been gradually improved over the past 20 years, however, their performance is lower compared to the developed countries. There are significant differences by gender and area of residence. The young people from the rural area are more exposed to the risk factors that influence youth health. Avoidable causes of death, such as accidents, injuries, falls, intoxications and suicides, are the main causes of youth mortality. The risk behaviour specific for young males determined almost 2/3 of the male deaths, and less than half of the female deaths. Despite the decrease in the incidence of HIV/AIDS among youth the gender gap persists. There is an unfavourable situation with regard to STDs, especially syphilis and gonorrhoea. Welfare as a factor of health-risk behaviour has a contradictory significance. Thus, the highest proportion of smokers among men is registered in the lowest quintile, but among women in the lowest and highest quintile. Share of adolescents, current consumers of alcohol, is higher for those from families with a higher level of welfare, but also for those from poor families.