Related Experiment Videos
Verification of adolescent self-reported smoking
Jukka Kentala1, Pekka Utriainen, Kimmo Pahkala
1Vaasa Health Care Centre, Vaasa, Pb 2 65101, Vaasa, Finland. jukka.kentala@vaasa.fi
Addictive Behaviors
|January 21, 2004
Summary
Adolescent self-reported smoking habits are reliable, with questionnaire data closely matching biochemical measures. This suggests dental professionals can trust patient reports for effective smoking cessation interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Adolescent smoking prevalence is a significant public health concern.
- Accurate self-reporting of smoking habits by adolescents is often questioned.
- Under- or over-reporting can impact the effectiveness of interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To verify the accuracy of self-reported smoking habits in adolescents.
- To assess the reliability of questionnaire data compared to biochemical markers.
- To determine the need for biochemical verification in routine dental practice.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 150 ninth-grade pupils (age 15).
- Participants completed smoking habit questionnaires during dental examinations.
- Biochemical measurements (salivary thiocyanate, expired carbon monoxide) were used for verification.
Main Results:
- Questionnaire reports demonstrated high reliability in estimating adolescent smoking.
- Sensitivity ranged from 81-96%, and specificity from 77-95%.
- Biochemical verification was deemed unnecessary in standard dental settings.
Conclusions:
- Self-reported smoking data from adolescents in questionnaires is a valid estimate.
- Dental practitioners can rely on patient self-reports as a starting point for health education.
- This approach supports motivating and supporting adolescent smoking cessation efforts.