Joy P. Nanda¹, Mian B. Hossain, MSC, MHS, PhD², Jamaal A. Russell, MPH, MT³, Ivana Amaris Vaughn, MPH(c)³, J. Prince James, MPH⁴, Kia Tolson, MPH⁴, Ava Joubert-Curtis, MD⁵, and Sharrone Bryant, MA, MS⁴. (1) Population and Family Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 624 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, 410-614-3485, jnanda@jhsph.edu, (2) MPH/DrPH Public Health Program, Morgan State University, 343 Jenkins Building, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251-0001, (3) Morgan State University Public Health Program, 1700 E. Coldspring La., Baltimore, MD 21251, (4) MPH/DrPH Public Health Program - Department of Public Health, Morgan State University, 343 Jenkins Building, 1700 Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251-0001, (5) Public Health Program, Morgan State University, 1700 Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251

The 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) shows lower rates of ATOD use among African American (AA) adolescents ages 12-17 compared to other ethnic groups of the same age. Factors associated with low prevalence of ATOD use among AA teenagers are poorly understood. The NHSDA included 17,249 adolescents who reported about their community participatory activities (CPA) which we hypothesized to be associated with low ATOD use compared to other ethnic groups. The study sample included 67% whites, 13.3% AA, 13.3% Hispanic, and 6.4% other ethnic groups. ATOD use rate among AA adolescents in the past year was: cigarette, 12%; snuff 0.7%; alcohol, 23%; and marijuana 12.4%. White adolescents reported using: cigarette, 22.5%; snuff 4.8%; alcohol, 37.2%; and marijuana, 16.1%. ATOD use rates in the past month were similar among the ethnic groups. ATOD use rates among Hispanic adolescents’ was higher than AA, but lower than whites in each category.

Evaluation of the relationship between CPA among different ethnic groups showed lower rates of CPA (school, community, and other participatory activities three or more times and prevention programs) among AA compared to whites, and similar rates for faith-based participatory activities between the two groups. Age stratified analysis showed that regardless of race, older adolescents had lower rates of CPA than younger adolescents while younger adolescents had lower rates of ATOD use. Age-race stratified analysis and multiple regressions adjusting gender, family income, family composition, and metropolitan size examining the CPA and low ATOD use among AA were not significant.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Compare the distribution of ATOD use among adolescents of different ethnic groups in the U.S.
• Analyze factors correlated with low frequency of ATOD use among African American adolescents.
• Evaluate the consistency of the correlates of ATOD use over time among African American adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Behavioral Research

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.