[Development and evaluation of self-study material for smoking prevention education]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Education
• Adolescent Health

Background:

• Smoking prevention education is crucial for junior high school students.
• Existing educational materials may lack self-study components addressing psychosocial factors.
• Developing accessible, independent learning tools is essential for promoting non-smoking lifestyles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a self-study booklet for smoking prevention among junior high school students.
• To assess the material's effectiveness in imparting knowledge and modifying attitudes regarding smoking.
• To determine the impact on smoking intention and behavior in adolescents.

Main Methods:

• A role-play activity booklet was designed for self-study, covering smoking harms, dependency, and psychosocial factors.
• Process evaluation involved 669 students and 9 teachers across three schools.
• Impact evaluation utilized pretest-posttest design with 977 students in experimental and control groups over two months.

Main Results:

• Over 90% of students completed the material within one hour, with minimal reported difficulty.
• Significant increases in smoking-related knowledge and positive shifts in attitudes were observed in the experimental group.
• No significant changes in smoking intention or behavior were detected, attributed to small sample size and limited timeframe.

Conclusions:

• The self-study smoking prevention booklet is effective for increasing knowledge and modifying attitudes in junior high school students.
• While the material shows promise, teacher involvement is recommended to enhance its overall impact.
• Further research is needed to address behavioral outcomes and long-term effects.