An Experiment to Test Effects of an Educational Program on Prevention of Smoking in Middle School Students

Choi, Young Mi; Kang, Hyun Sook

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was to evaluate effect of an educational program based upon experiment for smoking prevention in middle school students. METHOD: A quasi-experimental design was used. The participants were 107 middle school students (53 in the experimental group, 54 in the control group). Students in the experimental group participated in three 45-minute educational programs over a period of 2 weeks. The dependent variables were measured before and 2 & 4 weeks after the treatment. The data were analyzed using 2 test, Fisher's exact test, t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA. SPSS was used to aid analysis. RESULTS: 1) The experimental group showed higher levels of knowledge of smoking prevention compared to the control group. However this program did not affect their attitude towards smoking. 2) There was a higher possibility of smoking in the future among the students who had smoked than those who had not. 3) The majority (84.9%) of the experimental group said that the program was effective. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of smoking for the experimental group was increased, so it is assumed that the program itself had a positive effect on the students. To change attitudes regarding smoking, smoking prevention programs need to be conducted repeatedly, not just temporarily.