The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48138

Carolyn C. Johnson, PhD¹, Anne Ball, MPH², Leslie Morgan, MS², Lakesha Stevenson, BS², Janet Rice, PhD³, and Larry S. Webber, PhD². (1) Department of Community Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal St., Suite 2301, New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-585-4068, rpraeto@tulane.edu, (2) Department of Biostatistics, Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal St., 20th Floor, New Orleans, LA 70112, (3) Department of Biostatistics, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal St., 20th Floor, New Orleans, LA 70112

Healthy Lifestyle Choices focuses on helping schoolchildren develop healthy lifestyles in areas of substance abuse and disease prevention. Fifth graders (n=665) from 20 schools participated in baseline evaluation; 59% were female, 64% were African-American and 19% white. Ever smoked prevalence was 12% and was higher for boys than girls (p < 0.01). Among those who never smoked, 1% agreed with the statement that they intended to smoke someday and 7% were unsure. Some 32% believed smoking was adult behavior. Overall 25% reported ever drinking an alcoholic beverage. Among those who had never drunk, 4% intended to drink someday; 19% were unsure. About 14% thought it was okay for adults to get drunk once in a while, 17% were unsure. Having friends who drink was reported by 26% and 10% said they have friends who get drunk weekly. Intentions and actual use of tobacco and alcohol were low among these fifth graders from inner-city and suburban schools. Many believed that smoking and drinking are adult behaviors, the majority reported family who smoke, and some reported friends who smoke and/or drink. Health promotion can reinforce intentions not to drink and smoke, and it can help young children respond appropriately to social influences.

Learning Objectives:

• Review data on tobacco and alcohol use and intentions relative to 5th grade students in a school-based health education program.
• Discuss the implications of the data for developing and implementing health education curricula.

Keywords: Children, Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.