Youth risk-taking behavior in Brazil: drug use and teenage pregnancy

Ana Rute Cardoso and Dorte Verner ()

No 4548, Policy Research Working Paper Series from The World Bank

Abstract: Using an extensive survey that addresses risk factors faced by the population in the shantytowns (favelas) of Fortaleza, Brazil, the aim of this paper is to study risk-taking behavior by youth, focusing on drug use and teenage pregnancy. The paper analyzes the impact of factors such as exposure to mass media, the existence of support networks, self-esteem, and the occurrence of violence at home and in the neighborhood, on the probability of risk-taking behavior. A bivariate probit model is estimated. The findings indicate that reliance on support networks and exposure to mass media are associated with a lower probability of either type of risk behavior. Living in a violent home increases drug consumption. Race does not have a significant impact on either type of behavior.

Keywords: Adolescent Health; Population Policies; Health Monitoring&Evaluation; Youth and Governance; Gender and Health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008-03-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dev and nep-hea
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:4548

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