Myers Dr

Radiation exposure during panoramic radiography in children

In an effort to determine the amount of radiation exposure a child receives during a panoramic radiograph and to evaluate the effect of a protective thyroid collar, dosimeter readings were made on twenty-nine child patients at fourteen anatomic sites. The levels of radiation recorded were similar to those previously recorded for adults and phantoms, except for greater doses in the thyroid area. Placement of a lead-lined thyroid collar resulted in significant reduction of the thyroid doses.

Smokeless tobacco use in adolescent females: Prevalence and psychosocial factors among racial/ethnic groups

From a stratified, random sampling of Southeastern, nonurban high schools, survey data on smokeless tobacco use and potential psychosocial risk factors were obtained from 5683 adolescent females. Of the 15.3% who reported trying smokeless tobacco, most (75%) reported only experimental use. Factor analysis of the psychosocial items resulted in four factors: perceived negative consequences, substance use, modeling, and active lifestyle. Discriminant analysis on use indicated that modeling influences and use of other substances were the strongest predictors of initial smokeless tobacco use. Level of use, however, was most strongly associated with lower perceived negative consequences for use and the use of other substances. Separate analyses on American Indian, Black, and White subgroups suggested that factors associated with initial use were similar but that substantial differences exist between subgroups on risk factors for level of smokeless tobacco use.

Typology and correlates of smokeless tobacco use

The incidence, use patterns, and correlates of smokeless tobacco have become increasingly important as usage rates rise and harmful health effects become established. The present study assessed the incidence of smokeless tobacco use in a Southeastern U.S. sample and selected correlates of use. From the responses of 3725 high school students, 19.9% reported trying smokeless tobacco products (35.5% for males, 5.8% for females). Most agreed that tobacco use has harmful health consequences. Those disagreeing with these health beliefs were more likely to use smokeless tobacco. Cigarette smoking was strongly associated with initial use. Of those reporting any use of smokeless tobacco, most used it for less than an hour per day, but 18% reported 3 or more hours of use per day. Forty-four percent reported a first use of smokeless tobacco before 13 years of age. Early initial use was associated with greater frequency and duration of use. Early initial users also reported greater influence from family and advertisements. Encouragement from friends, however, appeared to be the major factor regardless of age at initial use. Of particular concern is that 8.4% of those having any experience with smokeless tobacco felt they were addicted to the substance. Finally, 27.9% reported swallowing the substance or spittle, suggesting the need for further research on the potential health implications of this behavior.

The role of race and ethnic status on the psychosocial correlates of smokeless tobacco use in adolescent males

From a stratified, random sampling of non-urban high schools in the Southeast, survey data were obtained from 5374 adolescent males. Over half reported trying smokeless tobacco, and approximately one third of these reported a regular, substantial level of use. The average age at initial use was 12.2 yr. and was negatively correlated with the level of use. Factor analysis of the psychosocial items resulted in four factors: substance use/deviant style, modeling, perceived negative consequences, and health behavior. Discriminant analysis of initial use indicated that substance use and modeling influences were the strongest predictors of trying smokeless tobacco. Regression analysis of level of smokeless tobacco use indicated that substance use, modeling, and perceived negative consequences were equivalent in their contribution. Separate analyses were performed for American Indian, Black, and White males. Although predictors of initial use were similar, level of smokeless tobacco use was most associated with the use of other substances in Blacks and with modeling influences in Whites.