Evaluation of Knowledge and Opinions of Young People Educated In the Province Of Elazığ about Youth Centers

Abstract

This study aims to determine knowledge and opinions of 15-29 years-old young people, who were studying at the formal educational institutions and live in the province of Elazığ, Turkey, on the Youth Centers affiliated with the Provincial Directorate of Youth Welfare and Sports. The study population of this descriptive study consisted a total of 1002 students. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by Örteş (2010). The data were expressed as numbers and percentages. Chi-square test was used for inter-group comparisons. A probability level of p<0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance. Of the students included in the study, 69.5% was in the 15-19 age groups, 30.5% was in the 20-29 age groups. Of the students, 60.9% was female and 39.1% was male. Looking at the opinions of the students on the youth center according to age variable; more than half (51.4%) of the young people who spend their leisure time by participating in activities of youth center was in the 15-19 age group (p<0.05). Looking at the types of activities participated in by the students on the youth center according to age variable; of the young people participating in education and training activities, 84.4% was in the 15-19 age group (p<0.05). And, 61.2% of the young people who knew the location of the youth center, and 60.4% of the young people who were aware of the activities of the youth center was in the 15-19 age group (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between young people's knowledge and opinions about the youth center and gender, family income, father's employment and parental level of education (p>0.05).