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

Abstract #71322

Victor Rodriguez-Ugalde, BSc¹, Francisco J. Lopez Antunano, MD, MPH², Julio Cesar Campuzano Rincon, MD, MSc², and Claudia Ivonne Ramirez Silva, BSc². (1) Nicotine addiction, EducArte, Educación para el Siglo XXI, A.C, Avenida Universidad No.655, Colonia Santa Maria Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62508, Mexico, (2) Center for Populational Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Avenida Universidad No. 655, Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca, Morelos, 62508, Mexico, 52777112563, alantu@insp.mx

Learning Objectives. To test educational interventions for prevention of tobacco smoking and initiation dependence, applicable to primary and highschools, where healthy life-styles should be adopted by students. Method. The three stages program, namely lst) educational preventive journey; 2nd) dissemination of health messages and 3rd) joint statistical analysis of the results from autoapplied questionaires completed by the students under teachers supervision. The patterns and characteristics of tobacco consumption were disseminated and the generated knowledge is to be used to establish preventive activities as an organized response of the society. Results. In 8855 students 10-17 years old (yo) (49,9% girls and 50,1% boys), the prevalence of tobacco smoker (TS) girls increased according to the age group from 6,5% (10-12yo), to 21,8% (15-17yo). The prevalence TS boys increased: from 11,6% (10-12yo), to 36,9% (15-17yo). Living with somebody that smokes is of high risk (OR=2,5:2,1;2.9 for girls) and (OR=1,8:1,6;2,1for boys). The risk is even higher for children having TS friends (OR 3,6 for girls) and (OR 2,3 for boys). The difference is striking according to the number of TS friends: none (OR=1) for both genders; some (OR=7,4:5,8;9,6 for girls)(OR=4,1:3,4;5,1for boys); the majority (OR=31,8:22,1;45,8 for girls) (OR=16,2:12,1;21,8 for boys); all of them (OR=87,5:45,9;166,7 for girls) and (OR=23,7:14,6;38,6) Conclusion. Influence of friends could be used for changing the harm iniciation and tobacco smoking for nurturing a culture for effective protection of children and adolescents health. Only a vigorous and serious enough organized response of the society will develop generations of tobacco-resistant children.

Learning Objectives:

• To test educational interventions for prevention of tobacco smoking and initiation dependence, applicable to primary and highschools, where healthy life-styles should be adopted by students.

Keywords: Children and Adolescents, Tobacco Control

Related Web page: www.insp.mx

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.