Preparatory pupils smoking behavior in Alexandria

The present study was conducted to assess pupil's knowledge, behavior about smoking. Their beliefs, attitude and intention were assessed based on the principals of theory of planned behavior [TPB]. A questionnaire was developed by the researchers and completed by 400 first grade preparatory school pupils [200 males, 200 females] from the west zone of Alexandria Governorate. It was found that 44.5% of females had satisfactory level of knowledge compared to 0.0% of males. It was noticed 92.7% of them had positive attitude toward non-smoking with higher percentage among females. It was observed that 71.5% of them had high general subjective norm with higher percentages among males. It was revealed that 88% of them had high-perceived behavioral control with higher percentages among females. It was demonstrated 88.5% of them had high intention not to smoke with higher percentage among females. The results revealed that 2.5% of the pupils are current smokers with higher percentages among males [3%]. Behavioral control [beta=0.176] and attitude toward non-smoking [beta=0.06] were the predictors of intention not to smoke. Knowledge [beta=2.302], indirect attitude toward non-smoking, intention not to smoke [beta=-1.225], behavioral control and general subjective norms were the predictors of smoking behavior. As part of NGOs to control smoking, this research was adopted by Social Welfare Association-Karmouz-Alexandria

Intension not to abuse drug among preparatory school pupils in Alexandria

The present study was conducted to assess pupil's knowledge about drug abuse. Their beliefs, attitude and intention were assessed based on the principals of theory of planned behavior [TPB]. A questionnaire was developed by the researchers and completed by 516 first grade preparatory school pupils from the west zone of Alexandria Governorate, 252 males and 264 females. The present study demonstrates that only 2.5% of females had satisfactory level of knowledge compared to 0.0% of males. The majority of them [88.7%] had positive attitude, while only 29.7% of them had positive indirect attitude toward not to abuse drug. The majority of them [86%] had high general subjective norm, while 52.5% of them had high normative beliefs. About two fifths of them [40.3%] had high-perceived behavioral control. More than three quarters of them [79.1%] had high intention not to abuse drug with higher percentage among females. Stepwise linear regression model reveals that knowledge, attitude toward not to abuse drug, socioeconomic level, normative beliefs and behavioral control were the predictors of intention not to abuse drug. These predictors contributed to explain 24.3% of the variation of intention not to abuse drug. As a part of the aim of NGOs to control drug abuse, this research was adopted by Social Welfare Association-Karmouz-Alexandria

intervention program for strengthening tuberculosis control in Alexandria. Part II: raising awareness of secondary school students

Tuberculosis [TB] is making a steady comeback as a global scourge and had been declared a global crisis in 1993. The key for controlling TB is the rapid detection and cure of infectious cases. Thus providing basic information to the public about earliest symptoms of TB as well as reducing levels of prejudice against TB patients can increase diagnostic coverage. The aim of this work was to raise awareness about TB among secondary school students and to evaluate the health education program by measuring the students' knowledge and attitude about TB before and after the health education sessions. The pre-test post-test design was used. Study population was 467 secondary school students selected by stratified random sampling from the six educational districts in Alexandria. A health education program was developed in the form of 12 sessions each one is 90 minute lecture-discussion session followed by 30 minutes questions and answers and aided by slides and posters. A self-administered questionnaire was administered to the students before and after the intervention for evaluation of the program. It consisted of items that cover knowledge, perception on seriousness, and attitude towards TB patients. It revealed poor knowledge about TB before the intervention. Although most students knew that TB is an infectious disease [80.9%], only 44% of the students knew that it was transmitted by droplet infection. 56.5% and 44.1% agreed that HIV/AIDS infection and malnutrition respectively are risk factors for TB. Wasting, night sweating, and productive cough were the known symptoms by 65.9%, 49%, and 54.2%, respectively. Staying in crowded places, smoking specially shisha [hubble-bubble], not covering the mouth during sneezing, and coughing and spitting on the floor were considered bad habits that enhance TB transmission by 76.4%, 67.2%, 57%, and 50.1%, respectively. Knowledge about the modes of transmission, symptoms, risk groups, and bad habits that help transmission of TB improved significantly after the intervention. Students who considered TB to be curable represented 49.7% of the sample before intervention and increased to 93.4% after the intervention. Before the intervention, only 11.6% of the students refused isolation of TB patients, 34.3% agreed that TB patients could be treated at home and 30.2% said that they would accept engagement to a previous TB patient. These figures improved significantly to 38.8%, 63.8%, and 50.5%, respectively after the intervention. Knowledge and attitude of students towards TB are generally poor. TB education program implemented in schools can enhance students' knowledge and change their attitude towards TB patients