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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Blythe Scott, MPH(c), Sara Corwin, MPH, PhD, and Willie H. Oglesby, MSPH, PhD(c). Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 800 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, 803-777-3636, blythescott@hotmail.com

Healthy People 2010 set two specific objectives focused on adolescent alcohol, tobacco and other drug use: reduce tobacco use by adolescents and increase the age and decrease the proportion of adolescents who remain alcohol and drug free. African American adolescents of low socioeconomic status are at greater risk for early initiation of substance use and continuing it throughout their lifetime. Providing adolescents with the knowledge and skills at an early age is essential to preventing these behaviors. In January of 2006, a weekly after school program began in an urban middle school in Columbia (SC) to promote healthy decision-making regarding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. The student population was predominately African American and the school was one of the poorest performing in its district. An assessment conducted with school staff and students determined topics of need to address with participants in addition to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, such as peer pressure and sexual health education. The purpose of the program was to enhance the students' knowledge and promote awareness surrounding the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. Intervention activities, in part, include: classroom curricula, experimental activities, projects, and group discussion. During the first session a pretest was administered to determine participants' current level of knowledge of the effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Results will be compared to student responses on a posttest in May of 2006 to determine change in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors as result of the program.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to

• State the importance of intervening with adolescents at an early age to prevent alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use.
• Explain the importance of conducting a needs assessment with participants and related persons prior to implementation of an intervention.
• List three outcomes/results of the pre and posttests given to student participants.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation