Risky Behaviors and its Correlates among University Students: a Cross-Sectional Study in Southeast Iran

Background: High-risk behaviors are one of the most apparent social problems that have irreversible consequences for the individual and society.This study was to compare the high-risk behaviors among health and non-health science university students in southeastern Iran.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. 626 students of University of Sciences and University of Health Sciences in Kerman, Between 2017-18 were selected by quota sampling method. The demographic questionnaire, and the Iranian adolescent riskiness scale were used to collect the data. Results: There was no significant difference between non-health (74.94 23.0) and health science students (72.43 22.33) regarding high-risk behaviors score (P>0.05). The non-health science students were significantly more inclined towards the components of smoking, sexual relations and sexual orientation towards the opposite sex, than the health science students (P < 0.05).Conclusion: It is essential to design and implement different interventions in each of the universities to reduce high-risk behaviors.