The current project builds on the Latin American tradition of community health advisors, and familism. Urban high school students HSAs are recruited and trained to mentor and teach middle school students (MSS) about the dangers of tobacco and ways to prevent peer and other pressure to smoke. A total of 19 students were recruited and completed the orientation process to participate in this project. The median age of participants was 16 and 84%(16) were female. Seventy-nine percent (15) were Hispanic; 69% (13) bilingual; 37 % (7) had ever smoked; 58% (11) had at least one friend who smokes cigarettes; and 21% (4) had a parent that smoked. HSAs in the study completed baseline measures and pre- and post-training knowledge tests. They participated in a series of tobacco use prevention training sessions followed by proficiency-testing for each lesson they are required to deliver to MSSs and their families. Baseline instruments measure demographics, educational aspirations, outcome expectations regarding the HSA role in the project, family and peer social support, self-efficacy and self-esteem and a number of other psychosocial characteristics. This paper will discuss the outcomes of these measures and report changes in tobacco and other training-related knowledge levels among HSAs from pre- to post-measures.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.