Use of objective measurement in the validation of self-reported smoking in children aged 10 and 11 years: saliva thiocyanate. Issue 3 (September 1982)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gillies, P A; Wilcox, B; Coates, C; Kristmundsdöttir, F; Reid, D J
• Is Part Of: Journal of epidemiology and community health. Volume 36:Issue 3(1982)
• Page Start: 205
• Page End: 208
• Publication Date: 1982-09
• Subjects: Public health -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; 614.4
• DOI: 10.1136/jech.36.3.205
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-005X

Abstract

Abstract : This study of objective measurement of smoking behaviour reports the findings from a sample of 421 children aged 10 and 11 years from Sheffield. Saliva thiocyanate determination did not provide a satisfactory objective method of validating the self-reported smoking of children in this age group. There was a trend (non-significant) for non-smoking children from homes in which a close relative smoked to have higher concentrations of saliva thiocyanate than non-smokers from "non-smoking" homes. Prior knowledge that a scientific test predicting smoking behaviour would be taken after completion of a questionnaire on smoking increased the self-reportage of experimental smoking.