Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #118253

Adenike Bitto, MD, DrPH, MPH, CHES, ESU, P.O. Box 155, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301, (570)422-3375, abitto@po-box.esu.edu, Robert Moses, Director of Residence Life, East Stroudsburg University, 200 Prospect Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301, and Donna Salch, University Health Services, East Stroudsburg university, 200 Prospect Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301.

In a survey conducted to estimate prevalence of tobacco use among rural college students, a random sample of 360 undergraduates was obtained. Using a structured survey instrument, students provided background demographic information and use of tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigar, and pipe, dip or chew tobacco, and special cigarettes such as bidi and kretek/clove cigarettes. Students also shared why they smoke – for example when they are out drinking; their personal history of smoking including age at initiation, amount and frequency of smoking, dollars spent purchasing tobacco products, students' perception of whether they are addicted to nicotine, their intention to quit or not, past efforts trying to quit; their beliefs regarding adverse health effects of tobacco including addiction, environmental tobacco smoke threats to other people, societal, school and campus health problems associated with tobacco; students' opinion on dating nonsmokers, hanging out where no smoking is allowed, support for friends who quit smoking versus support for friends who are smokers. One-third reported tobacco use during the last month. Sixty percent of respondents were female and 36.7% were male, 38.2% of males used tobacco products and only 28.6% of female students used tobacco (a statistically significant difference). Plus a highly statistically significant difference in housing arrangements – 44% of smokers lived off-campus compared to 22 percent of non-smokers who lived off-campus. Nineteen percent of non-smokers lived with their parent or guardian compared with only 6 percent of smokers. Only 39.7% of smokers lived in residence halls/on-campus compared with 49.2% of non-smokers who lived on-campus.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to
• Identify factors associated with smoking in a medium-sized rural university
• Discuss findings from a survey of college students to help develop proven strategies for improving health and well being in vulnerable populations
• Describe a norming procedure based on survey findings.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Tobacco

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.