Abstract

Chronic health problems associated with smoking in the adult population have been linked with the use of tobacco in the influential adolescent years. Education aimed toward the adolescent may decrease the incidence of cigarette smoking in the adult population. Little research has been done regarding the knowledge and developmental levels of adolescent smoking and the risks for health problems. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the effectiveness of a smoking prevention program on the knowledge and attitudes of seventh and eighth grade students. Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory served as the theoretical framework. The sample consisted of students (N=293) in the seventh and eighth grade from two randomly selected schools in urban central Mississippi. Each subject and parent received a letter describing the study and signed a consent form prior to participation. The subjects were assured confidentiality as participants. The Cigarette Smoking Questionnaire tool was utilized prior to and following participation in a thirty minute smoking prevention program on the causes of smoking in adolescents and the health risks associated with smoking. i v Descriptive analysis and the t test were utilized to analyze the data. The hypothesis which guided the study was that there would be no significant difference in the posttest knowledge and attitude scores in seventh and eighth grade students who attend a teaching program about the peer pressure and health risks associated with cigarette smoking. Seventh and eighth grade students who did attend the smoking prevention program had significantly higher posttest score than seventh and eighth grade students who did not attend. The researcher concluded that, after an educational intervention, subjects' knowledge levels were significantly improved and attitudes were more positive. Implications for nursing included the continued use of Orem’s supportive- educative nursing system which appertains to promoting decision making skills and acquiring knowledge in adolescents. Recommendations for future research include replication of the study with a broader ethnic and socioeconomic population. Also, further studies are needed for long-term evaluation of smoking trends in adolescents.

Degree

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Graduate Nursing

Degree Date

8-1-1996

Publication Number

27924558

First Advisor

Mary Patricia Curtis

Document Type

Thesis

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