The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43912

Sara-Ann Steber, MSS, MLSP¹, Lani Nelson-Zlupko, PhD¹, and Sharon L. Drummond, PhD². (1) Center for Mental Health Policy & Services Research, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market St. Room 3011, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (215) 662-2886, ssteber@mail.med.upenn.edu, (2) Community Prevention Partnership of Berks County, Inc, 227 North Fifth Street, Reading, PA 19601

Despite the serious health consequences associated with smoking for both mother and child, studies have shown that young mothers between 18-24 are more likely to smoke during pregnancy and after delivery than older mothers with a prevalence rate for smoking in this age group estimated at 15-30% (LeClere et al, 1997). As part of a study funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention to reduce repeat pregnancy and prevent substance abuse, data were collected on a sample of pregnant and parenting teens over a two-year period. Berks County, Pennsylvania one of the ten study sites enrolled high school students ages 14 to 18 into the study 47% of whom were Hispanic. Data indicate that the teens in this sample were smoking at a higher rate than the national average (40%) at 6 months. In addition to the high smoking rate at 6 months, 18% of the smokers had not smoked prior to the birth of their child. Preliminary data indicate that smoking at 6 months is significantly related to impulsivity and attitudes about tobacco use. This paper will present 18-month results examining individual, family, and community level factors influencing smoking among this population. Comparisons will be made across age, ethnicity, and urban vs. rural adolescents to examine whether certain demographic characteristics represent either risk or protective factors for smoking. Policy and program implications and additional research needs will be discussed.

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