Smoking Prevention Programs Based on Schools Health Profile in the Viewpoint of School Administrators and Health Educators of Tabriz

Background: Smoking is a global issue, Iran as one of the youngest contemporarysocieties, is involved in this dilemma. Therefore, this study was conducted with theaim of studying the implementation of programs and policies on preventing andcontrolling smoking in schools in Tabriz in 2017 using school health profiles fromthe viewpoint of school administrators and health educators.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. The statistical population included all schooladministrators and health educators in Tabriz in 2017. In the first stage, stratifiedproportional sampling and in the second stage systematic randomized sampling wasapplied. The data collection tool was schools health profiles. Relevant questionnaireswere filled out by school administrators and health instructors. The data were analyzedby SPSS version 22 using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage).Results: 34.4% of schools had an approved policy on tobacco prohibition and65.6% had no approved or coherent policies or programs on prohibition ofsmoking. The average and standard deviation of schools based on the use ofteaching materials related to smoking prevention and control was 36.14 ± 40.57 outof 100. Most activities were related to the training of short-term and long-termhealth effects of smoking (50%) and the least activities were related to theprovision of health services for preventing and quitting smoking (23.3%).Conclusion: Most schools in Tabriz do not apply any smoking policy. Most schoolsalso do nothing about preventing and controlling smoking outside the schools.Educational materials do not have necessary information in this regard to be taught byteachers. As a result, health managers and policy makers, in collaboration with schooladministrators and health educators, need to plan and take steps to develop appropriateprograms, policies and materials for preventing and controlling smoking.

کلیدواژه ها:

Tobacco ، Schools ، School Health ، Smoking