The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63411

Cheryl Blalock Aspy, PhD¹, Sara K Vesely, PhD², Roy Oman, PhD³, Michael W. Brand, PhD⁴, Kenneth R. McLeroy, PhD⁵, and Christi Luby⁴. (1) Family & Preventive Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 900 NE 10th St. - FMC 2209, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, 405-271-2370, Cheryl-aspy@ouhsc.edu, (2) Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, PO Box 26901, CHB, Room 309, Oklahoma City, OK 73190, (3) Health Promotion Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, P.O. Box 26901 Room 369, Oklahoma City, OK 73190, (4) Department of Health Promotion Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, P. O. Box 26901, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, (5) School of Rural Public Health, 3000 Briarcrest Drive, Suite 310, Bryan, TX 77802

Youth attitudes toward school have been related to school success and persistence to graduation while youth participation in risky behaviors have been shown to jeopardize the likelihood of student graduation. The purpose of this study was to determine if attitudes toward school are related to youth decision to be sexually active or to use alcohol. Data were collected form inner-city youth and their parents using in-home, in-person interviews (N=1,350 youth/parent paired interviews). Logistic regression analyses were conducted for those youth in school, controlling for related demographic characteristics; for 14 youth attitudes toward school and two risk behaviors: 1) ever had sexual intercourse, and 2) use of alcohol in the past 30 days. Eleven youth attitudes were associated with never having had sexual intercourse and 9 youth attitudes were associated with not using alcohol in the past 30 days. For example, youth who agreed that at least one of their teachers would help them if they had a problem or were upset (OR=2.6) and those who took school seriously (OR=2.2) were significantly more likely to never have had sexual intercourse than those who disagreed with the item. Examples for alcohol use included students who took school seriously (OR=3.3) and those who had a grade average of A or B (OR=1.97) were significantly more likely to have not used alcohol in the past 30 days. These results suggest that attitudes toward school are associated with youth decision not to participate in risky behavior.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:
• Describe youth attitudes toward school that are associated with youth decision not to have sexual intercourse or to use alcohol.
• Target specific youth attitudes toward school that may be protective for youth risky behavior when designing interventions.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Risk Behavior

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.