Abstract
The objective of this research was to study effects of an internet-based smoking prevention program on students with non-formal and informal education. This was an experimental study, with two-group repeated measurements, immediate post-test and three months follow up. The 32 participants, students with non-formal and informal education, were divided equally into the experimental group that received an internet-based smoking prevention program, and the control group, which received the usual learning program. Data were collected using; 1) Knowledge Regarding Smoking, 2) Attitudes toward Smoking, 3) Decision Making in Smoking Refusal, 4) Smoking Refusal Skill, and 5) Self-efficacy in Smoking Refusal. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Repeated Measures ANOVA
Results reveal that among the members of the experimental group, there were significant increases in the mean scores of knowledge regarding smoking and self-efficacy in smoking refusal at baseline, immediate post-test and three months follow up (p < .05). Also, there were significant differences in the mean scores of knowledge regarding smoking and self-efficacy in smoking refusal at baseline, immediate post-test and three months follow up between experiment and control group (p < .05).
Community nurses or teachers can integrate this program into health promotion programs or Health education courses to improve knowledge regarding smoking and self-efficacy for smoking prevention among students with non-formal and informal education.
Keywords: internet-based smoking prevention program, students with non-formal and
informal education, smoking prevention