Center for Adolescent Health

Since 2000, the Center for Adolescent Health (CAH) at Case Western Reserve University , has received funding to create and implement a countywide adolescent risk behavior surveillance system for Cuyahoga County . Similar surveillance programs are conducted at the state and national level biannually. Leaders and policymakers in Cuyahoga County recognize the value of regional data. Cuyahoga County is the most densely populated in the state and has a socioeconomic profile unique to Ohio . It is widely believed that rates of adolescent risk behaviors, including tobacco use, in Cuyahoga County do not mirror those of the state. Accurate data, specific to unique regions is therefore necessary to identify areas of need, guide prevention efforts, and ultimately improve adolescent quality of life. In pursuit of that goal, the CAH joined the Partnership to develop and administer the Partnership Youth Tobacco Survey (PYTS).

The PYTS is a cross-sectional school-based surveillance instrument intended to provide information regarding tobacco use among adolescents in Cuyahoga County . This survey is also intended to inform programmatic efforts aiming to change attitudes and beliefs regarding tobacco use, alter social norms, prevent or postpone youth tobacco use initiation, and reduce youth tobacco use.

In order to insure a representative sample, Cuyahoga County high schools were randomly selected for participation. Five high schools from each of four categories (City of Cleveland , Inner Ring Suburban, Outer Ring Suburban, and private) were asked to participate. School administrators representing each school were contacted in September and October, 2003, with meetings to explain the project and elicit participation occurring during these months. Over 4,400 students in thirteen high schools participated and the PYTS was administered to students from November 2003 through February of 2004. The results of this survey can be found in the 2004 PYTS Report.

CENTER FOR ADOLESCENT HEALTH

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