Prevention needs and interests among vocational students

Background To date, little is known about the health behavior of young people attending vocational schools. Aim of the study Based on data from a sample of vocational students in Switzerland, we investigate (1) in which demographic subgroups addictive behaviors, stress and protective factors are particularly prevalent and (2) which topics within a multibehavioral addiction prevention program for vocational students are of particular interest. Materials and methods Overall, 58% of vocational learners from 60 schools and 493 school classes participated in a health survey as part of the ready4life prevention program in the 2020/2021 school year. Data are available from 5622 (of 7495, 75%) students who gave consent to participate in the program. Multilevel models and regressions were used to examine associations between demographic characteristics, addictive behaviors, stress and protective factors. Results The majority of vocational students (77.1%) exhibited risky addictive behaviors in one to three of the four areas examined (1) alcohol use, (2) tobacco/nicotine use, (3) cannabis use, and (4) Internet use. Female students were more likely to report stress, low social competence, and low self-efficacy, and more likely to exhibit high-risk alcohol use and Internet use. In contrast, among male students, risky use of tobacco/nicotine and cannabis was more prevalent. Most interesting for students participating in the ready4life program were the topics stress and Internet use. Conclusion The study provides information about subgroups of students with particularly high addiction risks and indications of prevention needs and interests among students in vocational schools.