title: Fifth through eighth grade longitudinal predictors of tobacco use among a racially diverse cohort: CATCH.
abstract: CATCH provides multiethnic cohort data from third to eighth grades from four US geographic regions. This study examined smoking behaviors and predictors from fifth and eighth grades by ethnicity, gender, and geographic location through self-report data obtained from the cohort (N = 3,654). Overall, eighth grade prevalence for ever smoked was about 44%, 30-day prevalence was about 20%, 7-day prevalence 13.3%, and daily prevalence 7.4%. Prevalence was similar for Caucasians (21.5%) and Latinos (21.6%) and lowest for African Americans (13.1%). The 30-day prevalence for smokeless tobacco was higher for boys than for girls (9.8% vs 5.1%). Tobacco use by parents, siblings, and friends, and easy accessibility in the home in fifth grade, were significant predictors for smoking in eighth grade. Results did not differ by race, gender, or geographic location. The strongest correlate of smoking in eighth grade was having a best friend who smoked. Intention not to smoke in fifth grade predicted nonsmoking in eighth grade. Predictor strength across ethnic groups in different geographic regions was impressive. The social environment of young people continues to be an important instigator of smoking onset. The connection between intention and behavior over time suggests students' intentions not to smoke reflect decision-making at an early age.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Community Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal St., Room 2309, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. cjohnso5@tulane.edu
authors.forename: Carolyn C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Donglin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Cheryl L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Elder
authors.forename: Henry A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.forename: Steve H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kelder
authors.forename: Elaine J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Stone
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data