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Youth Risk-Taking Behavior in Brazil : Drug Use and Teenage Pregnancy

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Date
2008-03
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Published
2008-03
Author(s)
Cardoso, Ana Rute
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Abstract
Using an extensive survey that addresses risk factors faced by the population in the shantytowns (favelas) of Fortaleza, Brazil, the aim of this paper is to study risk-taking behavior by youth, focusing on drug use and teenage pregnancy. The paper analyzes the impact of factors such as exposure to mass media, the existence of support networks, self-esteem, and the occurrence of violence at home and in the neighborhood, on the probability of risk-taking behavior. A bivariate probit model is estimated. The findings indicate that reliance on support networks and exposure to mass media are associated with a lower probability of either type of risk behavior. Living in a violent home increases drug consumption. Race does not have a significant impact on either type of behavior.
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Cardoso, Ana Rute; Verner, Dorte. 2008. Youth Risk-Taking Behavior in Brazil : Drug Use and Teenage Pregnancy. Policy Research Working Paper; No. 4548. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/6560 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.
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