A STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PLANNED TEACHING PROGRAMME ON THE KNOWLEDGE REGARDING TOBACCO AND HEALTH AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN SELECTED COLLEGES AT JAIPUR

Abstract

Health is a priceless gift, and preserving it is essential for a healthy life. Individual behaviours significantly impact well-being, as ill health often results from personal choices rather than fate. Smoking dates back to 5000 BC and has been part of various cultures worldwide. Tobacco cultivation began in the Americas, particularly in the Peruvian and Ecuadorian Andes. In India, cannabis smoking has been practiced for over 4000 years. Understanding these historical aspects highlights the importance of informed health decisions. Material & Method: The study employed an evaluative research approach with a pre-experimental one-group pre-test post-test design at Tirupati College and St. Wilfred College, Jaipur. A total of 100 adolescents were selected through purposive sampling. The structured teaching program on tobacco and health was the independent variable, while knowledge level was the dependent variable. Data collection included socio-demographic and knowledge questionnaires. A pilot study confirmed feasibility. Formal permissions were obtained, and data collection took 20–30 minutes, with informed consent secured from participants. Result: The study found that 55% of participants were aged 17-18, 68% were male, and 60% used tobacco, with 65% lacking prior knowledge. The pre-test mean score of 18.69 (SD = 5.02) increased to 21.89 (SD = 4.77) post-test, with a significant ‘t’ value of 12.67, confirming the intervention’s effectiveness. Post-test scores were highest for smoking-related psychological illness (75.37%), followed by physical illness (61.58%) and general knowledge (51.8%), highlighting improved awareness of tobacco-related health risks. Conclusion: The study confirmed the effectiveness of a structured teaching program in improving adolescents' knowledge of tobacco-related health risks, with significant post-test score improvements, emphasizing the need for educational interventions.