This study assessed a multi-component health promotion approach (a school health curriculum, neighborhood intervention, and student leadership camp) on middle school students’ decisions related to tobacco use. A collaborative model including the health department, hospitals, voluntary organizations and the metropolitan school system was used to deliver the program. Baseline survey data were collected on a cohort of 2,361 sixth grade students in 1997 with follow up surveys on the same cohort for two subsequent years. Outcome measures included tobacco use behavior, attitudes about tobacco use, and tobacco use knowledge. Three complete years of survey data were available for 937 students in the original cohort (39.7%). There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics of students in the 12 study and 4 comparison schools. Students in the study schools were exposed to the school curriculum between one and three times. Significantly fewer of those exposed to the program were current smokers (11% vs. 17%) and fewer were hanging out with friends that smoke (13% vs. 19%). More of the students exposed to the program supported smoking restrictions (79% vs. 72%), knew the health effects of smoking (84% vs. 81%), and received information about the hazards of tobacco use from teachers (79% vs. 70%). The participants also reported a greater concern about the health effects of tobacco use (47% vs. 38%), and would encourage their friends not to use tobacco (87% vs. 75%). Thus, the multi-component approach appears to have a significant impact on adolescents’ tobacco use knowledge, attitudes and behavior.
Learning Objectives: Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Discuss a multi-component program focusing on tobacco use issues of middle school students. 2. Describe a strategy used to evaluate a multi-component program. 3. Understand the impact that a multi-component program has on tobacco use knowledge, attitudes and behaviors.
Keywords: Tobacco, Adolescents
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.