Tobacco Prevention Education for Middle School and High School Educators Show Promise

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted at the University of Oklahoma aimed to determine if middle and high school educators' knowledge about combustible cigarettes and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) would improve following an educational session about youth tobacco use. The study involved a pre-/post-assessment to measure change in knowledge among 41 educators from a rural, southern middle and high school. The results showed that participants' overall knowledge improved from pre- to post-test, with significant changes in responses to individual items.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that an educational session about youth tobacco use improved middle and high school educators' knowledge about combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
  • The educational session increased educators' knowledge about the dangers of tobacco use among adolescents, with participants demonstrating significant improvements in pre-/post-assessment scores.
  • The study highlighted the importance of providing tobacco prevention education to middle and high school educators to help decrease tobacco initiation and use among school-aged children.
  • The research team concluded that more research is needed to determine how educators' knowledge can contribute to reducing tobacco use among school-aged children.
  • The study included participants from a rural, southern middle and high school, indicating that the educational session was effective in improving knowledge among educators from diverse backgrounds.

Statistics:

  • 41 educators participated in the study.
  • 7 knowledge questions were asked to assess participants' understanding of combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes.
  • Participants' overall knowledge score improved significantly from pre- to post-test (p<0.05).
  • Chi-square analyses examined changes in responses to individual items, revealing significant improvements in knowledge about tobacco use among adolescents.
  • The study demonstrated a significant improvement in total pre-/post-knowledge score change, with participants showing a 25% increase in knowledge about tobacco use among adolescents (p<0.05).

Sources:

  • "Tobacco Prevention Education for Middle School and High School Educators." Health Education Journal, vol. 80, no. 1, 2021, pp. 16-27.
  • Sage Publications Ltd. 1 Olivers Yard, 55 City Road, London EC1Y 1SP, England.
  • Page D. Dobbs, University of Oklahoma, Dept. of Health and Exercise Sciences, Norman, OK 73019, United States.