Global School-based Student Health Survey Results: 2015 – Timor-Leste

Abstract

The Global School-Based Student Health Survey (‎GSHS)‎ 2015 is the first nationwide survey in Timor-Leste to provide a comprehensive data on various behavioural risk factors, including dietary habits, physical activity, mental health, tobacco and substance use, and sexual behaviours among adolescents. Adolescents (‎10–19 years)‎ constitute a very important demographic and social group in Timor-Leste, representing almost one quarter (‎23.3%)‎ of the total population. It is estimated that nearly one-third of the total burden of disease has its roots in adolescence. The periodic data on the lifestyle of adolescents and the psychosocial environment in schools will be crucial in informing adolescent health policies and programmes. And as Timor-Leste implements various programmes and policies to improve nutritional status or curb various risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use, these results will provide the baseline for evaluating the impact of those policies.