This is a community essay to assess the effectiveness of a multi-level (individual, family, and school) school-based intervention to prevent the exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) in a population of 1,734 schoolchildren (12-14 years old) in Terrassa (Catalonia, Spain). Schools were assigned to the intervention or the controlgroup at random. The investigators assessed SHS exposure in different settings (at school, at home, on transportation and leisure time) and tobacco consumption by means of a questionnaire before and one year after the intervention. Based on a previously evaluated intervention to prevent smoking initiation (PASE/ESFA program) the investigators designed a new intervention (the RESPIR•NET Program) including two new activities to prevent passive smoking to be applied at three levels: in the classroom (pupils), at the school (pupils, teachers, and parents), and in the family (pupils and parents).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
1,779
The intervention at the classroom consisted of six sessions with the pupils of one hour each that were conducted by the teacher/tutor. We provided the teachers with a training session and a teachers' guide, and we gave each pupil a workbook with the activities. At the school level, the intervention consisted of four types of posters with specific messages directed to students, teachers, and parents, and the fourth poster type advertised the new smoking laws. we gave teachers and school managers the guide "Towards a Smoke-Free School" to facilitate the prevention and control of smoking (active and passive) in the school environment. Family level activities: Parents were required to complete the "My risk thermometer" activity at home with their children. Parents received a brochure with information on the risks of SHS exposure and recommendations to prevent SHS exposure, and a refrigerator magnet with the logo of the program.
Catalan Institute of Oncology
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
Prevalence of exposure to secondhand smoke
The prevalence of exposure to secondhand smoke is computed by dividing the number of children exposed / total number of children. Exposure to secondhand smoke is obtained using a questionnaire at baseline and one year later. The questionnaire was prepared from previously validated questionnaires on SHS.
Time frame: 1 year
Prevalence of current smokers
The prevalence of smoking is computed by dividing the number of smoking children / total number of children. Smoker status is obtained using a questionnaire at baseline and one year later. The questionnaire has been previously validated in other investigations.
Time frame: 1 year
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