A School-Based, Multi-Component Intervention to Prevent Adolescent Tobacco and Cannabis Use

Pócs, D.; Millner, M.; Vaszkó, D.M.; Watti, J.; Kelemen, O.

doi:10.58209/hehp.14.2.239

A School-Based, Multi-Component Intervention to Prevent Adolescent Tobacco and Cannabis Use

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

D. Pócs ¹

M. Millner ²

D.M. Vaszkó ²

J. Watti ²

O. Kelemen ²

¹ “Cardiology Center” and “Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School”, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary

² Department of Behavioral Sciences, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary

10.58209/hehp.14.2.239

Abstract

Aims: Schools represent a key setting for substance use prevention during adolescence. Multicomponent, school-based programs aim to influence knowledge, attitudes, and social norms simultaneously; however, evidence regarding their effectiveness remains inconsistent. This study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and indicative effects of a multicomponent, school-based intervention targeting tobacco and cannabinoid use among adolescents.
Materials & Methods: This prospective observational study was implemented at a Hungarian secondary school. Anonymous, self-report questionnaires were administered before, during, and after the intervention (n=417, n=497, and n=631, respectively). Outcome indicators included the lifetime and 30-day prevalence of tobacco and cannabinoid use, knowledge, attitudes, and participation in individual program components.
Findings: Lifetime tobacco use increased from 48% to 56% and 58%, while lifetime cannabinoid use increased from 14% to 18% and 19% across the three waves; monthly use also increased for tobacco (23%, 25%, 25%) and cannabinoids (6%, 7%, 8%), with no overall reduction over time. Participation averaged 2.22±1.49 program elements in Wave 2 and 2.40±1.62 in Wave 3. Peer-group activities and the prevention quiz were associated with lower cannabinoid experimentation (Fisher’s exact test, p<0.05; χ²(1)=4.12, p<0.05), while poster and quiz participation was associated with tobacco use or experimentation (χ²(1)=4.20, 6.34, and 5.45; all p<0.05). Tobacco-related knowledge increased from 83% to 89% during the program but declined slightly to 87% afterward, while protective attitudes returned to 59%.
Conclusion: A multicomponent, school-based prevention program is feasible and acceptable, reaches higher-risk adolescents, and warrants further rigorous evaluation despite not significantly reducing substance use prevalence.

Keywords

Tobacco Use

Cannabinoids

Adolescent

Schools

Smoking

Subjects

Health Education and Health Behavior

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