Predictors of smoking prevalence among New York Latino youth

Abstract

Background. We examined prevalence rates and risk factors for smoking among Latino adolescents, using a multiethnic sample of sixth- and seventh-grade students (n = 3129) in 47 New York City public and parochial schools. Methods. The students completed questionnaires; self-reported smoking data were collected by means of the ''bogus pipeline'' technique. The largest group of Latino students (43%) was Puerto Rican; 20% were of Dominican background, 7% were Colombian, and 7% were Ecuadorian. ''Current smoking'' was defined as smoking at least once per month. Results. A series of logistic regression analyses indicated that peer influence was the strongest predictor of smoking. Family influence was important as well. Conclusions. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for prevention.