As practitioners dedicated to improving the lives of children, it's crucial to integrate evidence-based practices into our daily routines. A recent systematic review titled Health risk behavior among chronically ill adolescents: a systematic review of assessment tools sheds light on the assessment of health risk behaviors (HRB) among adolescents with chronic illnesses. This blog aims to provide insights from the review and discuss how practitioners can utilize these findings to enhance their therapeutic approaches.
Key Findings from the Systematic Review
The review highlights several critical points that practitioners should consider:
- Common HRB Assessment Tools: The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) and Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) were identified as the most frequently used tools. These tools are comprehensive and assess multiple forms of HRB, including substance use, physical inactivity, and dietary habits.
- Geographical Gaps: Most studies were conducted in high-income countries, particularly in North America and Europe. There is a significant gap in research from low and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the burden of chronic illnesses is high.
- Psychometric Properties: Only 21% of the studies reported psychometric properties of the HRB tools. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability varied, indicating a need for more rigorous psychometric evaluations.
- Methods of Administration: The review identified various methods for administering HRB tools, with self-completed paper and pencil formats being the most common. Other methods included face-to-face interviews and electronic surveys.
- Common HRBs Assessed: Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, along with physical inactivity, were the most frequently assessed HRBs among chronically ill adolescents.
Implications for Practitioners
Given these findings, practitioners can take several steps to improve their practice:
- Utilize Comprehensive Tools: Incorporate tools like YRBSS and HBSC into your assessments to capture a broad range of HRBs. These tools are well-validated and can provide a comprehensive overview of an adolescent's risk behaviors.
- Address Geographical Gaps: If you work in LMICs, consider collaborating with researchers to adapt and validate HRB tools for your specific context. This can help bridge the research gap and ensure that assessments are culturally and contextually relevant.
- Ensure Psychometric Rigor: When selecting HRB assessment tools, prioritize those with well-documented psychometric properties. This ensures that the tools you use are reliable and valid, leading to more accurate assessments and better-informed interventions.
- Diversify Administration Methods: Be flexible in your approach to administering HRB tools. Consider the literacy levels and cognitive abilities of your clients when choosing between paper-based, electronic, or interview methods.
- Focus on Common HRBs: Pay particular attention to assessing and addressing substance use and physical inactivity, as these are prevalent among chronically ill adolescents and can significantly impact their health outcomes.
Encouraging Further Research
While this review provides valuable insights, it also highlights the need for more research, especially in LMICs. Practitioners are encouraged to contribute to this body of knowledge by participating in research studies and sharing their findings. Collaborative efforts can lead to the development of more effective HRB assessment tools and interventions, ultimately improving the health and well-being of chronically ill adolescents.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Health risk behavior among chronically ill adolescents: a systematic review of assessment tools.
