Migration and Adolescent Vulnerability: A Study of High-Risk Health Behaviors among Aged 15-19 Years in India

Sanjit Sarkar, Central University of Karnataka
Archana Kujur, Central University of Karnataka

Introduction: Adolescence is a critical phase of life where an individual builds an identity, grows social networks, and establishes health behaviors that can last into adulthood. Migration may disrupt these processes due to significant life changes involved and increase vulnerability towards risky behaviors like violence and substance abuse. Methods and data: The study uses cross-sectional data from the Understanding the Lives of Adolescents and Young Adults (UDAYA) survey conducted in India. Descriptive statistics, bi-variates, and multi-variate analyses are used. Results: Results show that substance abuse such as smoking (9.2%; p<0.01), drinking alcohol (3.6%; p<0.01), and abuse of drugs (0.5%; p<0.01) were significantly higher among the migrant group as compared to the non-migrants. Likewise, risky sexual behaviors such as the experience of forced sex (2.4%; p<0.01), sex with multi-partner (1.4%; p<0.05), and unprotected sex (2.9%; p<0.05) were found to be higher among migrant than non-migrant adolescents. Adolescents who migrated due to family economic problems and not going to school had shown more risk of engaging in risky behaviors than their counterparts. Conclusion: Economic security at the place of origin, educational interventions, and pre-departure training programs conducted at the village level could be instrumental in mitigating health risks among adolescents.

Keywords: Children, Adolescents, and Youth

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