Objective: To investigate the frequency of smoking among adolescent students; determine the leading socio-cultural factors that encourage smoking and the tendencies of the students about this subject; measuring to what extent they are aware of the harms of smoking and evaluating the efficiency of different education models attended by students and pediatrician that oppose smoking.
Methods: Total 391 students from the 7th and 8th class were taken as samples. Firstly, the experience and the frequency of smoking were investigated. In addition, a situation inquiry was held for examining sociodemographic and other factors that may have any effect about smoking. Afterwards, two different education programs opposing to smoke as an intervention were applied. First a conference was given about the harms of smoke by a pediatrician and then, volunteers were specified among the adolescents for peer education about the harms of smoke and prevention of using it.
Results: Among the students 7,7% are smoking. 12,8% of them tried to smoke at least once. Alcohol drinking is frequent in students who smoke. The 3 (10%) of 30 students who stated that they are smoking, gave up smoking after education conference, while 4 of them (14,8%) gave up after peer education. During peer education students become more conscious about the effects of smoking.
Conclusion: In addition to the ongoing training conferences in the context of formal education programs in schools, performing peer education and managing teams opposed to smoking in schools will maximize the efficiency of both programs.
Key Words: Adolescence, Cigarette, School Health, Peer Education
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