The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #45884

Peter Messeri, PhD¹, Paul Mowery, MS², Matthew Farrelly, PhD², and M. Lyndon Haviland, DrPH³. (1) Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health, Sociomedical Sciences Division, Columbia University, 600 West 168 St, New York, NY 10032, (212) 305-1543, pam9@columbia.edu, (2) Statistics, Research Triangle Institute, 2951 Flowers Road, Suite 119, Atlanta, GA 30341, (3) American Legacy Foundation, 1001 G Street, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20001

One possible threat to internal validity for evaluation of the truth campaign is that socially desirable responses may increase under reporting with increased exposure to truth campaigns.

Although under reporting of smoking on self-administered questionnaires is known to be non-neglible and several studies have used biochemical markers of nicotine to assess the demographic correlates of under reporting of tobacco use, there is very little information on the influence of exposure to anti-smoking campaigns. Therefore, a biochemical validation study was conducted in parallel with the Spring 2002 NYTS to assess the possible under reporting of cigarette smoking that is systematically related to exposure to truth. Students participating in this study come from a nationally representative sample of high schools that were match to the NYTS sample frame. Students in the biochemical validation study completed the NYTS self administered survey and at the end study were asked to provide a saliva sample that is assessed for traces of cotinine, a by-product of nicotine.

Results are presented from this study on the extent to which under-reporting of smoking is related to exposure to truth. To the extent a social desirablility effect is found further finding will be presented on adjusting truth effects based on self reported data.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the rationale for and development of a biochemical validation study. Understand the implications of the results of this study.

Keywords: Tobacco,

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.