The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63525

Thomas W. Valente, PhD¹, Jennifer B. Unger, PhD¹, Beth R. Hoffman, MPH¹, Gaylene Gunning², and C. Anderson Johnson, PhD¹. (1) Keck School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, 1000 South Fremont, Unit 8, Room 5133, Alhambra, CA 91803, 626-457-6678, tvalente@usc.edu, (2) School of Medicine, Univesity of Southern California, 1000 S. Fremont Ave, Unit #8, Alhambra, CA 91803

This study reports one year followup results from a smoking prevention program implemented in ethnically diverse middle schools in southern California. The peer component of the program was not associated with a decrease in smoking uptake among 7th graders. Specifically, being in the network condition was not associated with changes in intention (AOR= 1.16; p=NS), took one puff (AOR= 1.17; p=NS), ever smoked (AOR= 1.43; p=NS), and smoked in the past 30 days (AOR= 0.95; p=NS). We did find that being a popular student, those nominated most frequently as friends, was associated with smoking uptake. Popular students were more likely to report an increase in intention to smoke (AOR=4.98; p<.01), taking a puff (AOR=11.4; p<.05), ever smoking (AOR=19.4; p<.05), but not smoked in the past 30 days (AOR=0.33; p=NS). This finding supports prior research that has shown that popular students in high prevalence schools begin smoking before their colleagues. We instituted a peer leader based intervention in 6th grade to combat this influence, but indications are that the peer component was not strong enough to overcome the tendency for popular students to start smoking. It may because peer influence and the behavior of popular students occurs everyday and year round, whereas as the prevention program occurred over 8 weeks, for one hour a day. These findings reiterate the need to work within school based friendship structures and networks to implement programs. The use of opinion leaders selected in response to a question soliciting the best leaders in the class, rather than those who are most popular may be have mitigated stronger effects.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to:
• Describe methods used to measure and identify opinion leaders in middle schools,
• Understand the theoretical link between popularity and smoking,
• Articulate how past interventions have attempted to harness this effect to combat tobacco use, and
• Implement similar programs in their own school or community-based settings.

Keywords: Tobacco Control, School-Based Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.