title: Smokeless tobacco use among rural high school students in Arkansas.
abstract: This study determined the prevalence of smokeless tobacco use among high school students in selected rural communities in Arkansas, and identified factors associated with initiation and maintenance of use. A questionnaire was distributed to 1,237 students in 13 rural high schools in different educational service regions of Arkansas during spring 1985. Results indicated 34.5% of males and 2.5% of females reported regular use of smokeless tobacco. The factor contributing most to initiation of this practice was the influence of a parent who used smokeless tobacco products. Comparisons to other recent studies and implications for health educators are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001131:Arkansas; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012424:Rural Population; D012932:Social Facilitation; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology