Anne Charlton

Smoking prevalence among 16-19-year-olds related to staff and student smoking policies in sixth forms and further education

The purpose of this study was to identify the policies, if any, regulating where and when smoking was allowed in educational establishments for students aged 16 and over, and to relate them to smoking prevalence. The methods used were postal questionnaires to all directors of local education authorities in England and Wales and to a sample of school and college principals in 1990. Self-administered questionnaires were used for the sample of students, supervised by staff. The results showed that 37 per cent of the responding local directors of education had a written policy on smoking for the schools and colleges in their area. Responses from principals showed that 83 per cent of colleges and 14 per cent of schools officially allowed students aged 16 and over to smoke. Eighty-three per cent of colleges and 97 per cent of schools allowed staff to smoke, but not usually in front of students. Policy and prevalence were strongly related in colleges, but not in the schools. The possible reasons for and implications of these findings are discussed. Overall, smoking students smoked fewer cigarettes (7 per week during attendance hours and 18 outside) in establishments where they were not allowed to smoke, as against 17 during attendance hours and 28 outside when the policy allowed smoking. The policy was still significantly related to lower smoking prevalence in colleges when other factors were taken into account. The response rates were low and the risk of bias is high, however; the findings suggest the need to investigate the topic further.

Children's return to school after treatment for cancer: Study days for teachers

BACKGROUND As greater numbers of children return to school after treatment for cancer, their teachers need information and assurance in order to facilitate the reintegration process. METHODS Help with organising study days for teachers was offered to the 20 regional childhood cancer treatment hospitals in the United Kingdom, and the usefulness of the study days in helping teachers at six of these centres was evaluated using pre- and posttest questionnaires. At a study day, members of the hospital treatment team gave informal presentations, and, later, involvement in a workshop gave the participants opportunities to discuss and share information. RESULTS After attendance at a study day, the teachers showed significant gains in knowledge about childhood cancers and in confidence concerning the management of typical problem situations that might be encountered when the children returned to school. CONCLUSIONS In the light of this research, recommendations were made to the 20 regional treatment hospitals in the United Kingdom to organise such study days for teachers on a regular basis.

Evaluation of a family-linked smoking programme in primary schools

BASED on the findings of a large-scale survey of chil drens smoking habits, carried out in Northern Eng land in 1982, a three-phase intervention programme was designed. This paper describes the effects of the first phase, aimed at nine and ten-year-olds, and their families. The effect was measured by a con trolled trial, involving 370 boys and 370 girls in a random sample of 32 primary schools. As a result of the intervention, there were significant decreases in smoking among boys and their fathers, but less posi tive results among girls and their fathers. Mothers showed no swing away from smoking. It was con cluded that a simple intervention package of this type, which is brought from school by the child and studied together with the parents, could be effective in helping to check family smoking. However, girls and their mothers appear to be harder to reach and influence than boys and their fathers. It is suggested that an intervention package of this kind could be used in general practice, as well as in schools.

Intervención educativa escolar para prevenir el tabaquismo: evaluación del proceso

FUNDAMENTO: Los datos publicados sobre eficacia de programas escolares para la prevencion del tabaquismo son inconsistentes. No esta suficientemente estudiado el proveedor de tales programas como variable de confusion. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el proceso de una intervencion educativa intraescolar. METODO: Lideres estudiantiles y profesores, entrenados y con guias, desarrollaron un programa de base social. Se encuesto aleatoriamente a 2 alumnos por cada aula, mediante cuestionario validado y pilotado: 318 ninos. Se utilizo el Indice Kappa para medir la fiabilidad, y el Coeficiente de Correlacion Intraclase, el de Pearson y el analisis de las diferencias individuales para comparar los datos de ajuste al programa, proporcionados por alumnos y profesores. RESULTADOS: La media de ajuste por aula fue 30,07 puntos (48 =100% de ajuste). El 26% de los ninos no pudo citar una alternativa a las ventajas de fumar, 71,7% desconocia la frecuencia de consumo en adultos y 19,5% no pudo evocar ningun truco propio de la publicidad del tabaco. Menos de la mitad realizo un sociodrama sobre el tema, como era preceptivo. El CCI fue 0,21, Pearson 0,25 (p = 0,02) y el intervalo de concordancia entre las calificaciones de profesores y alumnos fue de 6,93 puntos (-1,70 a 5,23). CONCLUSIONES: El ajuste de la implementacion al modelo de programa propuesto fue insuficiente. Encontramos escasa correspondencia entre la autocalificacion del profesorado y la puntuacion alcanzada por los alumnos en el ajuste al programa. La evaluacion del proceso es esencial para interpretar correctamente la evaluacion del impacto.

Smoking and menstrual problems in 16-year-olds.

The British Birth Cohort Study (BCS70) is a cohort study which follows all the people born in England, Scotland and Wales in the week of 5–11 April 1970. The data described here were from the postal questionnaires returned by 2181 young women aged between 16 and 16½ in 1986. Thirty-nine per cent of the respondents had never smoked, 39% had smoked at some time and 22% were regular smokers. Most of the respondents indicated that they had one or more of the following symptoms associated with menstruation: pain, depression, irritability, headaches, cramps. Analysis of the data showed that regular smokers were significantly more likely than those who had never smoked to have all these symptoms. Whilst the percentage of ‘sometime smokers’ experiencing pain, depression and headaches fell between smokers and ‘never-smokers’, the percentage experiencing unpleasant symptoms in general, irritability and cramps was the same as for regular smokers. If causality could be demonstrated, messages about immediate health problems such as these might be more powerful health education to young women than information about long-term risks.

Cancer Education in Secondary Schools.

Abstract Data were collected from 1024 teachers from secondary schools throughout England and Wales. The sample included teachers of all National Curriculum subjects, and analysis revealed that cancer was most often taught about in science or personal and social education (PSE). There was a significant association between the teachers’ knowledge of cancer and their involvement in cancer education. Teachers who showed a greater awareness of cancer issues are more likely to have taught about cancer than their less knowledgeable colleagues. Data are also available on why some teachers had not taught about cancer. It appeared that the teachers’ lack of knowledge and the poor supply of educational resources were primary factors. The authors conclude that these issues must be addressed if there is to be an increase in cancer education. This can only occur within the broader context of training and support for general school health education.

Smoking Prevention and Young People: using research to identify out‐of‐school intervention sites in three countries

ABSTRACT This paper presents data from the first phase of a proposed 4 year smoking prevention project. In recognising a need to develop out‐of‐school interventions to complement school‐based initiatives, the pilot year of this study has been used to survey young peoples participation in different activities in the three study countries. The main part of this paper reports data from Great Britain, The Netherlands and Spain showing by country, age group and smoking status participation in out‐of‐school activities. The concluding discussion examines the commonalities of findings across the three countries and implications for the selection of intervention sites.

Pastoral Care in Initial Teacher Education: A Survey of Secondary Teacher Education Institutions

The study reported in this paper was undertaken to discover the extent of pastoral care training carried out during secondary initial teacher education. Questionnaires were sent to heads of initial teacher education institutions in England and Wales. It was found that institutions were likely to provide some form of training in pastoral care but the extent and method of training varied greatly between institutions. However, training in actual practical skills such as basic counselling skills was much less likely to be available. The authors conclude that there is still some considerable way to go before newly qualified teachers are likely to feel adequately prepared for their pastoral roles.

Planning Health Education Materials

Presenting effective health education messages is a complex process, principally, because its purpose is usually to influence attitudes or behaviour and not merely to present information.This paper reviews the various methods which can be used, including the spoken word, printed and visual materials and, in the light of research results considers the elements necessary in planning these. The importance of primacy, clarity and friendliness in presenting verbal messages are discussed. Readability in written communications is emphasised and two tests for readability are discussed. Layout and presentation of written messages are also considered as vital factors in their effectiveness. Findings on the humour versus fear approaches are discussed.Whatever the messages and however it is presented it must have real meaning and relevance to the group for whom it is intended and not appear to be an ‘order’ from some unseen dictator.

Reducing cancer mortality: Does health promotion work? A discussion paper

Objectives To examine cancer mortality in the period 1988 to 1992 in relation to health education (HE) and health promotion (HP) in 1976 and 1986. Design Self-completion questionnaires on HE/HP returned by mail. Incidence and mortality data from reliable published sources for comparison. Setting The EC-funded Standing Committee of the Hospitals of the European Union (HOPE) Project. Subjects Representatives of 15 EU Member States. Main outcome measures Coordination, cancer focus, approaches and content of HE/HP, services and legislation relating to cancer risk reduction in 1976 and 1986. Age standardised incidence and mortality data for the five year periods 1973 to 1977,1978 to 1982,1983 to 1987,1988 to 1992. Results The following characteristics of HE/HP were found to be associated with reduced mortality from cancers between 1973-77 and 1988-92 and with the lowest cancer rates in 1988-92: an established programme in 1976; coordination of the programme by an alliance between government, a national health agency and cancer society; year- long programmes with a specific focus backed by short, intensive campaigns; communication by the multi-stage process, namely authoritative sources followed by a personalised letter or word-of-mouth to individuals; cognitive, affective and behavioural elements in the programme, that is information together with skills- and self-efficacybuilding and behaviour change techniques; a community-wide approach; regular tax increases on cigarettes; bans on tobacco advertising; control of asbestos and carcinogens in industry; and a cervical and breast- screening service backed by personalised health education. Conclusion Cancer HE/HP established in 1976 was reflected in reduced mortality in 1988/92. By 1986, most of the countries had developed such programmes with the characteristics listed above and allowing for the latent period of most cancers, the effect on mortality might be expected in the first decade of this century.