Global School-based Student Health Survey
Maldives (Atolls)
2009 Fact Sheet
The 2009 Maldives (Atolls) GSHS measured alcohol use; dietary behaviors; hygiene; mental health; physical activity;
protective factors; tobacco use; and violence and unintentional injury.
The 2009 Maldives (Atolls) GSHS was a school-based survey of students in grades 8, 9, and 10. A two-stage cluster
sample design was used to produce data representative of all students in grades 8, 9, and 10 in Maldives (Atolls). At
the first stage, schools were selected with probability proportional to enrollment size. At the second stage, classes were
randomly selected and all students in selected classes were eligible to participate. The school response rate was 100%,
the student response rate was 81%, and the overall response rate was 81%. A total of 1711 students participated in
the Maldives (Atolls) GSHS. Students self-reported their responses to each question on a computer scannable answer
sheet. For comparison purposes, only students aged 13- 15 years are included in the analyses for this fact sheet.
Results for students aged 13-15 years
Total
Boys
Girls
5.6
(3.3-9.3)
8.4
(4.6-14.9)
2.8
(1.3-5.8)
*
*
*
4.7
(3.0-7.5)
7.0
(3.7-12.9)
2.7
(1.4-4.9)
30.3
(25.3-35.8)
34.5
(28.6-41.0)
26.4
(21.3-32.3)
9.3
(7.4-11.6)
12.6
(10.1-15.6)
6.1
(3.8-9.5)
5.0
(3.7-6.7)
5.6
(3.7-8.4)
4.3
(3.1-5.8)
18.4
(15.9-21.1)
18.9
(15.4-22.9)
17.9
(14.4-22.0)
10.5
(7.7-14.2)
13.0
(9.3-17.9)
8.3
(5.6-12.1)
Percentage of students who were physically active for a total of at
least 60 minutes per day on five or more days during the past seven
days
25.9
(21.3-31.1)
28.0
(22.0-35.0)
23.6
(18.4-29.8)
Percentage of students who spent three or more hours per day during
a typical or usual day doing sitting activities
39.9
(34.9-45.2)
40.6
(33.7-47.9)
39.4
(35.2-43.8)
Percentage of students who missed classes or school without
permission on one or more of the past 30 days
28.6
(23.3-34.5)
34.6
(28.6-41.1)
22.8
(17.1-29.8)
Percentage of students whose parents or guardians understood their
problems and worries most of the time or always during the past 30
days
33.7
(29.2-38.6)
30.3
(25.0-36.2)
37.4
(31.7-43.4)
Percentage of students whose parents or guardians really knew what
they were doing with their free time most of the time or always during
the past 30 days
48.5
(42.2-54.9)
43.2
(36.2-50.6)
53.5
(46.7-60.2)
Alcohol Use
Percentage of students who drank at least one drink containing
alcohol on one or more of the past 30 days
Among students who ever had a drink of alcohol (other than a few
sips), the percentage who had their first drink of alcohol before age
14 years
Percentage of students who drank so much alcohol that they were
really drunk one or more times during their life
Dietary Behaviours
Percentage of students who usually drank carbonated soft drinks one
or more times per day during the past 30 days
Hygiene
Percentage of students who usually cleaned or brushed their teeth
less than one time per day during the past 30 days
Percentage of students who never or rarely washed their hands after
using the toilet or latrine during the past 30 days
Mental Health
Percentage of students who ever seriously considered attempting
suicide during the past 12 months
Percentage of students who had no close friends
Physical Activity
Protective Factors
2009
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Global School-based Student Health Survey
Maldives (Atolls)
2009 Fact Sheet
Results for students aged 13-15 years
Total
Boys
Girls
9.1
(6.8-12.0)
15.0
(10.0-21.9)
3.6
(2.1-6.2)
Among students who ever smoked cigarettes, the percentage who
first tried a cigarette before age 14 years
76.2
(65.2-84.5)
78.5
(66.2-87.2)
*
Percentage of students who reported people smoked in their presence
on one or more days during the past seven days
56.5
(51.8-61.1)
58.8
(52.6-64.7)
54.4
(48.5-60.1)
Tobacco Use
Percentage of students who smoked cigarettes on one or more days
during the past 30 days
Violence and Unintentional Injury
Percentage of students who were in a physical fight one or more times
during the past 12 months
30.7
(25.1-37.0)
44.7
(37.8-51.8)
17.3
(11.9-24.3)
Percentage of students who were seriously injured one or more times
during the past 12 months
40.5
(35.2-45.9)
46.7
(39.9-53.6)
34.5
(28.2-41.3)
Percentage of students who were bullied on one or more days during
the past 30 days
41.6
(37.2-46.1)
44.7
(38.8-50.7)
38.9
(33.9-44.1)
* Indicates less than 100 students.
For additional information, please contact:
Dr Jorge Mario Luna
WHO, Male, Republic of Maldives, lunaj@who.org.mv
2009
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