Can use of healthcare services among 15-16-year-olds predict an increased level of high school dropout? A longitudinal community study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To study associations between healthcare seeking in 15-16-year-olds and high school dropout 5 years later.

Design

Longitudinal community study.

Setting

Data from a comprehensive youth health survey conducted in 2000-2004, linked to data from national registries up to 2010.

Participants

13 964 10th grade secondary school students in six Norwegian counties.

Main outcome measure

Logistic regression was used to compute ORs for high school dropout.

Results

The total proportion of students not completing high school 5 years after registering was 29% (girls 24%, boys 34%). Frequent attenders to school health services and youth health clinics at age 15-16 years had a higher dropout rate (37/48% and 45/71%), compared with those with no or modera

SUBMITTER: Homlong L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3780314 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature