Smoking cessation services provided in educational institutions : Possibilities, designs, problems and obstacles

Abstract

This survey research is aimed at assessing situation, possibilities, problems, obstacles and suggestion in order to design the helping model for students to quit smoking in secondary schools in Phayao Province. Participants were 27 school principals, 27 teachers who responsible for helping quit smoking in the school, 27 parents, and 27 students who had smoking experience with total 108 participants. The research instruments consisted of 1) demographic data, 2) questionnaire regarding the readiness of the school for providing smoking cessation services, and 3) the knowledge test about risk of smoking. The questionnaire was approved by 3 experts. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics using frequency, percentage and mean values as well as qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. 

            The research finding revealed that most of school principals (88.89%) strongly agreed that schools should provide services to help quit smoking. However, only 37.04% of teachers had experienced in training and education for helping students quit smoking, and 66.67% of them had experienced in helping students to quit smoking. School principals and teachers reported that schools were ready in providing smoking cessation services in all aspects; except, teachers reported the moderate readiness regarding available places to build the smoking cessation clinic in schools. Most of students (96.29%) agreed that schools should provide services to help quit smoking. However, 51.85% of students thought that students would not receive the services. All of parents agreed that schools should provide services to help quit smoking. Teachers and parents had a moderate level of knowledge about the dangers of smoking, but students were at the low level. Research suggests that schools should provide activities for promoting knowledge about the dangers of smoking and school smoking cessation for teachers, parents and students, as well as promoting the positive attitudes for students in accepting support of providing school smoking cessation services.