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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Megan B. Nussbaum, MPH, RRT, School of Public Health, The Ohio State University, 320 West 10th Street, Columbus, OH 43210, 614-527-7936, nussbaum@copper.net and Kenneth J. Steinman, PhD, MPH, School of Public Health, Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, Ohio State University, B-215 Starling-Loving Hall, 320 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1240.
The purpose of this study is to determine how trends in smoking and participation in prevention programs changed from 1991 to 2000 in Franklin County, Ohio. This study seeks to determine if an association exists between smoking rates and participation in prevention programs. The Primary Prevention Attitude Awareness and Use Survey (PPAAUS), a survey given to 6-12 grade students in Franklin County, Ohio in 1991, 1994, 1997 and 2000, was utilized for the purposes of the study. Data analyses indicated that overall, smoking prevalence decreased from 1997 to 2000. Analyses found that participation in DARE increased from 1991 to 2000, and nearly 90% of students participated from 1997 to 2000. Data analyses did not indicate that sleeper effects of the DARE program were associated with the decrease in smoking rates. The analysis did find that anti-smoking messages increased from 1997 to 2000. Those students who received an anti-smoking message were significantly less likely to smoke than other students. Thus, the increase in anti-smoking messages is likely associated with the decrease in smoking rates. The change in social attitudes regarding cigarette use may have been a result of the saturation of the DARE program throughout schools in the county. In addition, the percentage of student smokers who did not receive an anti-smoking message also decreased from 1997 to 2000. Therefore, further research is needed to examine other factors related to the decrease in smoking rates from 1997 to 2000 in Franklin County, Ohio.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to
Keywords: Smoking, School-Based Programs
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.