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

Abstract #67380

Sally E. Graumlich, EdD¹, Julia Muennich Cowell, PhD, RNC, FAAN², Eisuke S. Segawa, PhD¹, and Brian Flay, DPhil¹. (1) Health Research and Policy Centers, University of Illinois at Chicago, Ste 400 M/C 275, 850 West Jackson, Chicago, IL 60607, 312-996-3339, fiddle@uic.edu, (2) College of Nursing, Community and Mental Health Nursing, Rush University, 600 South Paulina, 1080 Armour Academic Center, Chicago, IL 60612

Risk reduction research has focused on adolescent populations and has often been limited by cross sectional design. The purpose of this report is to illustrate longitudinal gender differences in prevalence of risk behaviors, and to describe the rates of growth of problem behaviors among African American children from grades 5 – 8. As part of a longitudinal efficacy trial (Aban Aya Youth Project) that tested a comprehensive school-based intervention, child survey data were collected beginning grade 5 and end of grades 5-8. Twelve schools (9 inner city and 3 near-by suburban) were assigned to one of three conditions. For this study, subjects are the attention-placebo group (n = 188 African American females; n = 182 males). Measures assessed violence, substance use, school delinquency, sexual, and provoking behaviors. At baseline, levels of problem behaviors were significantly lower for girls, except for provoking behaviors. By grade 8, 48% of girls “threatened to cut” and 49% carried knives (lifetime); compared to 53% and 54% of boys, respectively. In addition, 28% of girls reported drinking alcohol and 25% smoking cigarettes (past 30 days); compared to 32% and 29% of boys, respectively. Prevalence of some problem behaviors by 8th grade girls was comparable to the 1999 YRBS rates for high school girls. For both genders, rates for all risk behaviors increased significantly overtime; however these rates were not significantly different between the genders. Given research has shown limited success with girls, these findings can provide insight for gender sensitive research and clinical practices in the future.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to:
• identify the longitudinal prevalence of provoking, violence, school delinquency, sexual and substance use behaviors among African American males and females from grade 5 to grade 8
• compare and contrast growth rates of risk behaviors between a longitudinal sample of African American males and females from grade 5 to grade 8
• discuss the implications for risk prevention research and practice for young females

Keywords: Health Indices, Children

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.