Hazards of Nicotine Dependence Among Teenagers

Abstract

Background: An individual can have withdrawal symptoms which are uncomfortable feelings that every drug user experiences after he or she has stopped taking a drug. The withdrawal symptoms include shaky, have sleeping difficulties, experienced increased appetite, and feel uneasy, irritable, and less alert. These unpleasant symptoms can prevent many smokers from quitting. Nicotine replacement therapy, just like the nicotine patch and gum, has helped many smokers to quit smoking and tobacco chewing habits. It reduces the quantity of nicotine in the brain so that the smoker does not feel the negative effects of a sudden drop in nicotine levels in the blood. Material and Method: A quasi-experimental research study had undertaken in the Bal Vikas Vidyalaya, Mumbai. Sample size was 60 students studying in 8th and 9th standards in Bal Vikas Vidyalaya. Non-probability convenient sampling technique was used to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching regarding hazards of nicotine dependence on knowledge among teenagers in a selected school in Mumbai. The sample consists of 60 teenagers studying in 8th and 9th standards in Bal Vikas Vidyalaya. The self-prepared and content validated structured questionnaire for the assessment of knowledge was used for data collection. During the health teaching, educational materials like PPT, video, demonstration, etc. were used. The data collection was carried out in three phases: pre-test was carried out before the implementation of teaching, followed by implementation. After 15 days, the post-test was carried out, in the Bal Vikas Vidyalaya. Results: The questionnaire was divided into three groups depending upon their scores. Poor consist of 0–06 score, average consist of 07–14 score, and good consist of 15–20 score. The mean of the pre-test was 36.9 and mean of the post-test was 50.15. The paired t-test shows significant difference between pre and post-test awareness where the overall (t = –224.5) at p < 0.0001. Karl Pearson coefficient of correlation was used to find out the correlation between pre-test and post-test in the pilot study. The reliability was r = 0.82. Conclusion: The study outcome revealed that the education regarding hazards of nicotine dependence among teenagers was found to be effective in improving the knowledge and awareness among the teenagers regarding hazards of nicotine dependence.