Objective To examine the differences in alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use between American and Chinese high school students.
Method A survey questionnaire was adapted from YRBSS and translated into Chinese. After translating it back to Chinese, the final questionnaire, including demographic and ATOD use information, was approved by bilingual scholars. Data were collected during summer 2000, among 9-12th grade public school students in Jiangsu province, China. ATOD use of American students from the 1998 YRBSS high school survey was then compared with that of Chinese students.
Results Of the total of 1018 usable surveys, fifty four percent were males and 45% were females. Compared to American students, fewer Chinese students reported having ever tried smoking cigarettes even one or two puffs (35.7% vs.90.8%) or smoking at least one day of 30 days prior to the survey (6.7% vs.64.1%), but more Chinese smoked their first cigarette before age 13 (55.2% vs.43.3%). Chinese students also were less likely to use smokeless tobacco compared to American students (1.3% vs. 8.3%). Fewer Chinese students than American students had ever drunk alcohol (54.3% vs.92.2%) or had their first drink before age 13 (31.7% vs.46.10%). About 16.5% of Chinese students were monthly drinkers compared to 64.5% of Americans. Illicit drug use was rare among Chinese students; only 0.5% reported having ever tried marijuana compared to 85.4% of American students.
Conclusion The findings could provide valuable information for health educators in both countries in planning and evaluating ATOD use prevention and education programs.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, the participants will be able to: 1. Discuss the similarities and differences of the ATOD use between Americana and Chinese high school students; 2. Discuss global issues on ATOD use among school students; and 3. Apply the information to the development of the ATOD use prevention and education programs.
Keywords: Drug Use, Substance Abuse
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.