Background image

USDTL Assisted Research

Tobacco-Reporting Validity in an Epidemiological Drug-use Survey

Michael FendrichMary Ellen Mackesy-AmitiTimothy P JohnsonAmy HubbellJoseph S Wislar

First Published: 30 January 2005   DIO: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2004.04.009

Department of Psychiatry, Institute for Juvenile Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1747 Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60608, USA. 

Abstract

Photo hand with cigarette smoking

Hand with smoking cigarette | Sourced Adobe Stock©

We compared responses to questions about tobacco use and passive exposure to smoking with biological tests for cotinine in order to estimate tobacco-reporting validity in an epidemiological survey on drug use. Respondents identified via multistage sampling (n=627) completed household surveys that were administered using an Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview (ACASI) procedure. Following the survey, respondents were asked to participate in drug testing. Saliva (oral fluid) was used to screen for the presence of cotinine, a major metabolite of tobacco. Hair, urine, and oral fluid testing were used to detect the presence of illicit drugs such as amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. While underreporting of tobacco was relatively rare, estimates from this recent study suggest that it may be increasing over time. Even after adjusting for passive exposure, self-report sensitivity estimates were still well below the 90% level suggested in prior reviews. Underreporting of marijuana and race/ethnicity showed a strong association with underreporting of tobacco use, suggesting that factors associated with the underreporting of illicit substance use parallel those associated with the underreporting of tobacco use.

 

Read the Full Article      Learn More About Choosing the Right Test


Contact USDTL

1.800.235.2367

Client Services

By Phone: 1.800.235.2367
Business Hours (CST)
Monday....................7am-7pm Tuesday....................7am-7pm Wednesday.............7am-7pm Thursday..................7am-7pm Friday........................7am-7pm Saturday...................8am-5pm

Contact Client Services

Newsletters, Posters, and Catalogs

Our print materials will keep you up to date on the latest news in drug and alcohol testing.

Request Literature

Request Your Collection Supplies

For your convenience, USDTL provides test collection supplies at no additional charge.

Order Supplies