Patterns of risk behaviors among Samoan and Tongan adolescents in California: Results from the Pacific Islander Health Study

Background/Significance: Little is known about the health of Pacific Islander adolescents in the United States. While some studies such as the NHIS and the CHIS have made inroads in including Asian population in representative surveys, disaggregated data on PI populations continues to lag making the systematic study of PI health impossible.

Objective/Purpose: To provide results from a representative survey of the health of US Samoan and Tongan adolescent respondents and to assess the prevalence and correlates of select risk behaviors.

Methods: The presentation uses the Pacific Islander Health Study, a cross-sectional, face-to-face interview administered in 2012 for a random sample of Samoan and Tongan households from communities in Los Angeles County and San Mateo County, California. From 300 households, a total of 122 adolescents aged 13 to 17 years were interviewed. Pacific Islander health was measured using questionnaire instruments that allow direct comparisons to national and state level surveys, specifically the NHIS and the CHIS. The main outcome measures are cigarette and alcohol use which are seen as risky behaviors for youths. Descriptive statistics and prevalence rates are presented. Bivariate odds ratios are calculated for the likelihood of engaging in risk behaviors.

Results: Participants reported high rates of smoking and drinking when compared to county, state and national populations. Samoan and Tongan ethnic differences are also present.

Discussion/Conclusions: These findings are the first to systematically examine the high rates of risky behavior among US Samoan and Tongan adolescents. The findings emphasize the importance of disaggregated API data to accurately understand and measure the health behaviors of PI adolescents. The findings support the need for relevant interventions.