A study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding the adverse effects of active and passive smoking among adolescents in selected sr. secondary schools

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable deaths, particularly in developing countries, contributing to a range of serious illnesses including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and respiratory issues. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable, with smoking posing long-term health hazards. Despite awareness, many adolescents disregard the future risks, making smoking among youth a global concern [1]. Studies show that nearly 47% of males and 12% of females globally are smokers, with higher rates in developing countries. Alarmingly, tobacco-related diseases claim around 5 million lives annually, underscoring the urgent need for targeted public health interventions [2].In India, the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) reported that 14% of adolescents aged 13-15 used tobacco in 2009, showing little improvement from earlier years. Region-specific data from WHO-SEARO and ICMR indicated tobacco use among boys aged 10-14 was 3% in Uttar Pradesh and 1.3% in Karnataka. Recognizing the growing concern, a study was conducted in Kaladwas, Udaipur, to assess the effectiveness of a Structured Teaching Programme (STP) on adolescents’ knowledge about the adverse effects of active and passive smoking [3]. This exploratory research adopted an experimental survey design and involved 100 randomly selected adolescents from Sr. Secondary Schools in Kaladwas. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire assessing demographics and knowledge. Analysis using SPSS 20 revealed that post-intervention, 70% of adolescents had adequate knowledge and 30% had moderate knowledge, with none displaying inadequate understanding. The mean knowledge score was 21.8 (SD = 1.08), and the mean score percentage was 77.85% [4]. The study concluded that the STP significantly enhanced awareness among adolescents regarding the harmful effects of smoking. These findings emphasize the role of structured educational interventions in promoting health literacy and empowering youth to make informed lifestyle choices, highlighting their importance in nursing education and school health programs [5].