Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02118-2605, USA.
J Adolesc Health. 2013 May;52(5 Suppl):S83-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.01.010.
This article describes a feasibility study of a program that mentors boys aged 14-18 living in inner city public housing, engages them in a basketball league, and provides educational sessions on life skills and ways to resolve conflicts without violence. Such programs have the potential to engage adolescent males living in public housing in activities that reduce cancer-related behaviors and increase protective behaviors.
We conducted a feasibility evaluation of the program, which included a survey of participants, interviews with coaches, and observations of games and practices.
Lifetime and previous-30-day substance use was common among participants, and many were exposed to and had experienced various forms of violence. Keeping youths active helps prevent their joining gangs and using drugs.
Youths from disadvantaged backgrounds are at a high risk for cancer because they are at greater risk for obesity and other adverse health-related conditions than are more affluent youths. Implementing and sustaining community programs for youths in public housing can reduce the effects of exposure to factors that put them at risk for cancer during adulthood: chronic poverty, lack of safe areas for recreation, easy access to alcohol and drugs, and exposure to violence. In addition, workshops to prevent substance use and violence and to teach leadership, sportsmanship, conflict resolution, and healthy youth development are needed for youths, coaches, and parents or guardians.
本文描述了一项针对居住在城市内公共住房中的 14-18 岁男孩的导师计划的可行性研究。该计划让男孩们参与篮球联赛，并提供有关生活技能和解决冲突的非暴力方法的教育课程。此类计划有可能让居住在公共住房中的青少年参与到减少与癌症相关的行为和增加保护行为的活动中。
我们对该计划进行了可行性评估，包括对参与者进行调查、对教练进行访谈以及对比赛和练习进行观察。
参与者中存在普遍的终生和过去 30 天的物质使用情况，并且许多人接触过并经历过各种形式的暴力。让年轻人保持活跃有助于防止他们加入帮派和使用毒品。
来自不利背景的年轻人患癌症的风险较高，因为他们比富裕的年轻人更容易出现肥胖和其他不良健康相关状况。在公共住房中为年轻人实施和维持社区计划可以减少他们在成年后因接触到使他们面临癌症风险的因素而受到的影响：长期贫困、缺乏安全的娱乐区、容易获得酒精和毒品以及接触暴力。此外，需要为年轻人、教练以及父母或监护人提供预防物质使用和暴力以及教授领导力、体育精神、解决冲突和健康青年发展的讲习班。
