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. 2023 Apr 28;72(1):29–36. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.su7201a4

TABLE 1. Measures for selected health risk behaviors among high school students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2021.

Variable Question Response options Analytic coding
Substance Use
Ever misused prescription opioids
During the past 30 days, how many times did you take prescription pain medicine without a doctor's prescription or differently than how a doctor told you to use it?
0 times, 1 or 2 times, 3–9 times, 10–19 times, 20–39 times, ≥40 times
Yes (1 or 2 times, 3–9 times, 10–19 times, 20–39 times, ≥40 times) versus no (0 times)
Ever used illicit drugs
During your life, how many times have you
A) used any form of cocaine, including powder, crack, or freebase?
B) sniffled glue, breathed the contents of aerosol spray cans, or inhaled any paints or sprays to get high?
C) used heroin (also called smack, junk, or China White)?
D) used methamphetamines (also called speed, crystal meth, crank, ice, or meth)?
E) used ecstasy (also called MDMA or Molly)?
F) used hallucinogenic drugs, such as LSD, acid, PCP, angel dust, mescaline, or mushrooms?
0 times, 1 or 2 times, 3–9 times, 10–19 times, 20–39 times, ≥40 times
Yes (1 or 2 times, 3–9 times, 10–19 times, 20–39 times, ≥40 times [for any included drug]) versus no (0 times [for all included drugs])
Ever injected any illegal drug
During your life, how many times have you used a needle to inject any illegal drug into your body?
0 times, 1 time, ≥2 times
Yes (1 time, ≥2 times) versus no (0 times)
Sexual health
Currently sexually active
During the past 3 months, with how many people did you have sexual intercourse?
I have not had sexual intercourse, I have had sexual intercourse, but not during the past 3 months, 1 person, 2 persons, 3 persons, 4 persons, 5 persons, ≥6 persons
Yes (1 person, 2 persons, 3 persons, 4 persons, 5 persons, ≥6 persons) versus no (I have not had sexual intercourse, I have had sexual intercourse, but not during the past 3 months)
Used alcohol or drugs at last sexual intercourse
Did you drink alcohol or use drugs before you had sexual intercourse the last time?
I have never had sexual intercourse, yes, no
Yes versus no (no, I have never had sexual intercourse)
Did not use a condom during last sexual intercourse
The last time you had sexual intercourse, did you or your partner use a condom?
I have never had sexual intercourse, yes, no
Yes versus no (no, I have never had sexual intercourse)
Not tested for any STD (other than HIV) in the past 12 months
During the past 12 months, have you been tested for a sexually transmitted disease (STD) other than HIV, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea?
Yes, no, not sure
No (no, not sure) versus yes
Not ever tested for HIV
Have you ever been tested for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS? (Do not count tests done if you donated blood.)
Yes, no, not sure
No (no, not sure) versus yes
Violence victimization
Experienced sexual dating violence in the past 12 months
During the past 12 months, how many times did someone you were dating or going out with force you to do sexual things that you did not want to do? (Count such things as kissing, touching, or being physically forced to have sexual intercourse.)
I did not date or go out with anyone during the past 12 months, 0 times, 1 time, 2–3 times, 4–5 times, ≥6 times
Yes (1 time, 2–3 times, 4–5 times, ≥6 times) versus no (0 times, I did not date or go out with anyone during the past 12 months)
Experienced physical dating violence in the past 12 months
During the past 12 months, how many times did someone you were dating or going out with physically hurt you on purpose? (Count such things as being hit, slammed into something, or injured with an object or weapon.)
I did not date or go out with anyone during the past 12 months, 0 times, 1 time, 2–3 times, 4–5 times, ≥6 times
Yes (1 time, 2–3 times, 4–5 times, ≥6 times) versus no (0 times, I did not date or go out with anyone during the past 12 months)
Experienced sexual violence by anyone in the past 12 months
During the past 12 months, how many times did anyone force you to do sexual things that you did not want to do? (Count such things as kissing, touching, or being physically forced to have sexual intercourse.)
0 times, 1 time, 2–3 times, 4–5 times, ≥6 times
Yes (1 time, 2–3 times, 4–5 times, ≥6 times) versus no (0 times)
Mental health and suicide risk
Poor mental health in the past 30 days
During the past 30 days, how often was your mental health not good? (Poor mental health includes stress, anxiety, and depression.)
Never, rarely, sometimes, most of the time, always
Yes (rarely; sometimes; most of the time; always) versus no (never)
Experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness
During the past 12 months, did you ever feel so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that you stopped doing some usual activities?
Yes, no
Yes versus no
Seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months
During the past 12 months, did you ever seriously consider attempting suicide?
Yes, no
Yes versus no
Made a suicide plan in the past 12 months
During the past 12 months, did you make a plan about how you would attempt suicide?
Yes, no
Yes versus no
Attempted suicide During the past 12 months, how many times did you actually attempt suicide? 0 times, 1 time, 2–3 times, 4–5 times, ≥6 times Yes (1 time, 2–3 times, 4–5 times, ≥6 times) versus no (0 times)