 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Dawn Dickerson, MPH1, Quedwin Medina2, Marianne Sullivan, MPH3, Destiny Q. Ramjohn, BA4, J. Moon-Howard, DrPH5, Eliza Sutton, MPH3, Courtney A. Bennett, BS6, and Nancy L. VanDevanter, DrPH7. (1) Dept of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W. 168 St., New York, NY 10032, 2123051189, dd443@columbia.edu, (2) Youth Ambassador Program, The Valley Inc., 1047 Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY 10025, (3) Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W. 168th St., Center for Applied Public Health, New York, NY 10032, (4) Mailman School of Public Health, Center for Applied Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W. 168th St., Suite 1040, New York, ND 10032, (5) Division of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, 600 West 168 Street, New York, NY 10032, (6) Community and Government Relations, New York City Mission Society, 105 E. 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010, (7) Center for Applied Public Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th St., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10032
Background and Objectives: The Harlem Tobacco Control Community Action Board, which includes researchers from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, conducted focus groups with Harlem youth as part of an assessment of factors that contribute to tobacco smoking in the community.This presentation will highlight key findings from the focus groups and describe the role that youth played in the research. Methods: In order to understand youth perspectives on tobacco and tobacco control in Harlem, twelve focus groups were conducted with youth residents. The groups were stratified by age, gender and smoking/non-smoking status. Harlem youth and youth leaders in tobacco control worked with researchers to identify research questions and to develop the focus group guide. Youth were employed to recruit focus group participants. Focus group discussions were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed for main themes. Preliminary Results: Youth in smoking and non-smoking groups expressed concern about the health effects of tobacco. Many tobacco smokers (cigars/cigarettes) and non-smokers reported use of marijuana. In comparison to tobacco smoking, youth were much less concerned about the health effects of marijuana. A relationship between tobacco and marijuana use was noted. Patterns of smoking among African American youth may be different from what has previously been reported in other populations, in that tobacco use may not precede marijuana use. In addition to behavioral issues, we will report on youth views regarding tobacco advertising and their ideas for implementing tobacco control programs. The roles played by Harlem youth leaders in various phases of the assessment will be highlighted. Conclusions: The findings from the research will be used to develop community-based interventions.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Community Collaboration, Adolescents
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.