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

Abstract #70711

Nell Baldwin, BA¹, Robert Cameron McMillen, PhD², and Arthur C. Cosby, PhD¹. (1) Social Science Research Center, Mississippi State University, 103 Research Park, Starkville, MS 39759, (2) Social Science Research Center, 103 Research Park, Mississippi State, MS 39762, 662.325.2742, robert.mcmillen@ssrc.msstate.edu

Since the initiation of a statewide tobacco control program in1998, several distinct yet methodologically comparable surveys have provided estimates of youth smoking prevalence in Mississippi. In the fall of 2002, the Social Science Research Center (SSRC) at Mississippi State University administered the Youth Social Climate Survey of Tobacco Control (YSCS-TC) to a representative sample of public middle and high school students. The YSCS-TC includes social and environmental indicators and measures smoking prevalence using the same protocol as both the YTS and YRBS. To ensure that results from the YSCS-TC could be compared to extant YTS and YRBS prevalence estimates from previous years, researchers at the SSRC collaborated with the CDC to draw the sample as well as to weigh and process the data. Preliminary results indicate that youth smoking has declined significantly in 2002. High school smoking prevalence declined from a high of 32.5% in 1999 to a low of 23.3% in 2002. The middle school decrease was more significant with a decrease from a high of 23% in 1999 to a low of 12.1% in 2002. Significant decreases were also found among several subpopulations. Discussions will highlight trends in smoking prevalence among middle and high school students, as well as trends within specific demographic groups.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe youth smoking trends in Mississippi
• Understand the tmethods used to assess these rates

Keywords: Smoking, Adolescents

Related Web page: www.ssrc.msstate.edu/socialclimate

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.