Demographic and Predictive Correlates of Smokeless Tobacco Use in Elementary School Children

Abstract

Background. To assess the basic demographics and predictive correlates of smokeless tobacco use in school-age children, a stratified random sample of 559 rural and urban first, third, fifth, and seventh graders in western North Carolina was surveyed regarding experimentation with smokeless tobacco. Methods. Two versions of a survey were developed: a shorter version administered orally to first graders and a longer version provided to others. Reported percentages across demographic variables were broken down in a 4 × 2 × 2 analysis of variance; correlations were used to assess the relationships among potentially predictive variables. Results. Results indicated that 36 percent of male rural first graders had tried smokeless tobacco, increasing to 70 percent by the seventh grade. Overall, rural males were more likely to have tried or be regularly using smokeless tobacco than were urban males or females. Other questions correlating with smokeless tobacco use indicated that it is predicted by three general concerns: a) perceived flavor, b) self-concept and presentation to peers, and c) family influence. Discussion. Educational interventions must begin at the kindergarten or first grade levels. Programs for adolescents must provide for alternative ways of receiving perceived social image benefits of smokeless tobacco use. Familial support must be considered in all programming.