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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Ashley S. Love, DrPH, MPH, MS¹, Zenong Yin, PhD¹, Jesse Zapata, PhD², and Robert J. Love, DO, MS³. (1) Department of Health and Kinesiology, University of Texas at San Antonio, 6900 North Loop 1604 West, San Antonio, TX 78249, 210 458-6226, ashley.love@utsa.edu, (2) Office of Vice Provost for UTSA downtown and Dean of the College of Public Policy, University of Texas at San Antonio, 501 W. Durango Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78207, (3) Dept of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio, 6900 North Loop 1604, San Antonio, TX 78249

Objective: To assess the association of academic achievement and risky healthy behaviors among Mexican-American (MA) adolescents

Method: Total of 2,592 students who were in 8th, 9th, and 10th grade from four middle schools and two high schools in South Texas were recruited in the study. (Response rate was 89%, N=2,307; 92% of MA, 51% males, 36.9% 8th graders, 36.1% 9th graders, and 26.9% 10th graders with mean age 14.6, SD=1.35). The data was collected as a part of a longitudinal study on risk factors for substance use in MA youth during the 1996-1997 school year. Questions from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey were used. Only MA students were included in data analyses for this study (N= 1,892). Logistic regression was used to test the relationships between grade point average and report of risky health behaviors controlling for potential confounders (sex, free school lunch status, and grade level). Adjusted odd ratio (AOR) and confidence intervals were calculated.

Results: Failing grades were significantly associated with an increased mixed use of alcohol and drugs (AOR = 5.04, 95%CI 2.75; 9.25), heavy drinking (AOR=5.95; 95%CI 3.18;11.15), smoking (AOR=7.77; 95%CI 3.78;15.99), regular marijuana use (AOR=4.75; 95%CI=2.40;9.41), carrying a gun (AOR=3.82; 95%CI 1.94;7.51), carrying a knife (AOR=3.55; 95%CI1.79;7.06), and skipping breakfast (AOR=2.55; 95%CI 1.42;4.47).

Conclusion: Our study shows that MA adolescents who are receiving failing grades in school are significantly more likely to be engaging in risky health behaviors. For MA youths, programs should focus on both improving academic achievement and decreasing the risky health behaviors.

Learning Objectives:

• To understand the relationship between the academic achievement and risky healthy behaviors such as drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and marijuana among Mexican American adolescents
• To identify high risk Mexican-American adolescents who are at of engaging in risky health behaviors
• To aid in implementing health promotion programs targeting Mexican-American youth.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered