A Study of the Effect of Educative Drug Awareness Session on the Knowledge of Young Adolescents, their Teachers and Parents

Abstract

Background: Changes in lifestyle, along with easy access to media and internet have among other factors lowered the age of exposure to drugs and alcohol among youth. Within this context, the parent teacher association of a private high school in Mumbai approached Kripa Foundation to conduct a preventative educative drug awareness session for their students (Grade 8 to 12), their teachers and parents. The session aimed to (i) increase the awareness of drug addiction and related issues (ii) enable students to make informed choices and choose healthier lifestyle options by reducing high-risk behavior and (iii) provide relevant inputs so as to sensitize parents and teachers to risk and protective factors in addiction, so that they can respond to relevant concerns in an appropriate manner. Method: A set of Yes/No statements on knowledge and attitudes/beliefs related to substance abuse were constructed and in consultation with an expert, a set of 13 items on knowledge and three items on attitude/beliefs were selected for use in the study. Results: The analysis of the pre-post differences in the percentage of correct responses on knowledge related to substance abuse indicated a significant post-session increase in accuracy of response for students on most items. Conclusion: This study suggests the immediate benefits of a single preventative educative awareness session for high school students and their teachers and parents.

Keywords: Educative preventative drug awareness, substance abuse, high risk behaviours

Cite this Article

Krishna Iyer, Aninha Lobo. A study of the effect of an educative drug awareness session on the knowledge of young adolescents, their teachers and parents. Research and Reviews: Journal of Health Professions. 2017; 7(2): 10–22p.