Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme Regarding Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Prevention of Lung Cancer among Male Adolescents

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer related deaths commonly occurring among men. There are many causes for lung cancer such as inhalation of carcinogenic pollutants by susceptible host. Out of all the risk factors, cigarette smoking is the most important risk factor in the development of lung cancer amongst male population. Adolescence is a stage of struggle for identity which is evidenced by rebelliousness, adventure seeking behavior and oppositional defense. The future citizens are at greater risk for initiation of early smoking, exposure to second hand smoke, environmental and occupational exposures to carcinogens and dietary factors which may lead to occurrence of lung cancer. Hence it is important to prevent and control the lung cancer by health education and motivating the adolescents with positive attitudes and practices towards healthy lifestyles.

To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding prevention of lung cancer among male adolescents before and after administering STP to determine the effectiveness of STP.

A pre-experimental one group pre-test and post-test design was adopted for the study. The sample consisted of 80 male adolescents who are studying at selected junior colleges at mangalagiri, Guntur district, A.P. The subjects were selected byusing simple random sampling technique. The level of knowledge was assessed by semi structured questionnaire, attitude was assessed by modified 5 point likert scale and practices were assessed by 3 pointchecklist. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data.

The findings of study revealed that STP was being effective in enhancing the knowledge, attitude and practices of male adolescents regarding prevention of lung cancer as evidenced by the scores obtained in the pre and post-tests. The pre-test knowledge mean value was 9.67and the post-test mean was 18.67. For attitude the pre-test mean was 110.56 and the post-test mean value was 126.13 and with regard to practices pre-test mean value was 24.67and the post-test mean was 29.85. Hence the results of the study had found that in the pre-test knowledge, attitudes and practices scores were stumpy and after structured teaching programme, in post-test overall knowledge was improved and similarly attitudes and practices were enhanced.

The study concluded that there was a significant improvement of knowledge, attitude and practices among male adolescent students regarding prevention of lung cancerin post-test after administration of STP.