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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Tomas Nuņo, MA¹, Andrea Romero, PhD², Michele Orduņa, MEd², Antonio Estrada, PhD², and Sally Stevens, PhD³. (1) Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Epidemiology Graduate Program, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 245078, Tucson, AZ 85724, 520-626-8539, tnuno@email.arizona.edu, (2) Mexican American Studies & Research Center, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210023, Tucson, AZ 85721-0023, (3) Southwest Institute for Research on Women, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210025, Tucson, AZ 85721

National surveys have shown that Latino adolescents have among the earliest substance use initiation rates and high rates of regular substance use. Although many national surveys publish substance use rates stratified by Hispanic sub-groups, little is known about substance use rates within the Mexican origin sub-group, which is the largest Hispanic sub-group. The current study investigates important within-group differences of Mexican descent adolescents, such as acculturation, gender, and socioeconomic status, in relation to adolescent substance use (cigarette use, alcohol use, and marijuana use). Self-report surveys were completed by a cross-sectional community sample of 125 Mexican descent male and female youth (13-18 years old) in Tucson, Arizona. Average age of onset of substance use was under 13 years for all substances. Youth were less likely to have tried cigarettes and alcohol if they were younger and received free/reduced lunch. Youth were less likely to have tried marijuana if they received free/reduced lunch and were English speakers (compared to primarily Spanish or bilingual English/Spanish speakers). Youth were less likely to use alcohol in the past 30 days if they were immigrants compared to youth who were third generation or later. Youth were less likely to use marijuana in the last 30 days if they were males, received free/reduced lunch and were English speakers (compared to primarily Spanish speakers). By understanding within group substance use differences we can build a better link between the study of health disparities and the development of appropriately targeted prevention strategies.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Compare the rates of substance use between the study sample and national averages.
• Describe within Mexican descent group substance use differences.
• Assess substance use disparities among Mexican descent adolescents and the development of appropriate prevention strategies.

Keywords: Substance Abuse Assessment, Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered