Results of the 2013 Hawai‘i State and Counties Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (YRBS) and Cross-Year Comparisons

From Curriculum Research & Development Group College of Education University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa June, 2014

Background

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is a module of the Hawai‘i School Health Survey administered in odd-numbered years to Hawai‘i public school students in grades 6–12. In this report, the term “public school” does not include charter or special public schools. The YRBS is part of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with representatives from state and local departments of education and health, other federal agencies, and national education and health organizations. The YRBSS, established in 1991, monitors six types of health-risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death and disability among youth and young adults....

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Seriously Considered Attempting Suicide 

Statewide, 16.9% of public HS students had seriously considered attempting suicide during the 12 months before the survey. This was not a significant change from 16.1% in 2011 but was a significant linear decrease from 27.8% in 1993. Across the counties, the prevalence ranged from 14.6% (Kaua‘i) to 17.5% (Honolulu). There was no significant difference between 2011 and 2013 or any county and the state. Statewide, 25.4% of public MS students had seriously thought about killing themselves during their life. This was not a significant change from 22.5% in 2011. Across the counties, the prevalence ranged from 24.3% (Maui) to 27.9% (Hawai‘i). The prevalence for Kaua‘i County increased from 2011 to 2013. There was no significant difference between any county and the state.

Made a Suicide Plan

Statewide, 15.2% of public HS students had made a plan about how they would attempt suicide during the 12 months before the survey. This was not a significant change from 15.0% in 2011 but was a significant linear decrease from 21.4% in 1993. Across the counties, the prevalence ranged from 14.5% (Maui) to 15.4% (Honolulu). There was no significant difference between 2011 and 2013 or any county and the state. Statewide, 17.2% of public MS students had made a plan about how they would kill themselves during their life. This was not a significant change from 15.5% in 2011. Across the counties, the prevalence ranged from 16.2% (Kaua‘i) to 19.1% (Hawai‘i). There was no significant difference between 2011 and 2013 or any county and the state. 

Attempted Suicide

Statewide, 10.7% of public HS students had attempted suicide one or more times during the 12 months before the survey. This was not a significant change from 8.6% in 2011 and was not a significant linear change from 12.6% in 1993. Across the counties, the prevalence ranged from 9.6% (Kaua‘i) to 11.1% (Honolulu). The prevalence for Honolulu County increased from 2011 to 2013. There was no significant difference between any county and the state.      13

Statewide, 12.3% of public MS students had tried to kill themselves during their life.  This was a significant increase from 9.2% in 2011. Across the counties, the prevalence ranged from 10.6% (Kaua‘i) to 12.8% (Honolulu). The prevalence for Honolulu County increased from 2011 to 2013. There was no significant difference between any county and the state. 

Suicide Attempt Treated by a Doctor or Nurse

Statewide, 3.2% of public HS students had made a suicide attempt that resulted in an injury, poisoning, or overdose that had to be treated by a doctor or nurse during the 12 months before the survey. This was not a significant change from 3.4% in 2011 and was not a significant linear change from 3.8% in 1993. Across the counties, the prevalence ranged from 2.8% (Kaua‘i) to 4.3% (Maui). There was no significant difference between 2011 and 2013 or any county and the state.

Statewide, 11.8% of public MS students had tried to kill themselves and attempt resulted in an injury, poisoning, or overdose that had to be treated by a doctor or nurse during their life. This was not a significant change from 10.4% in 2011. Across the counties, the prevalence ranged from 11.5% (Honolulu) to 14.3% (Kaua‘i). There was no significant difference between 2011 and 2013 or any county and the state.

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