A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Information Booklet on Knowledge Regarding Ill Effects of Passive Smoking on Children among Parents of Selected Urban Area in Mysore

Passive smoking or environmental tobacco smoke has been found to be causally associated with a large number of diseases in various organs although the evidence is sometimes conflicting. The present study was undertaken "to assess the effectiveness of information booklet on knowledge regarding ill effects of passive smoking on children among parents of selected urban area in Mysore". Objectives of the study was to assess the pretest level of knowledge regarding ill effects of passive smoking on children among parent, to assess the effectiveness of information booklet on knowledge regarding ill effects of passive smoking on children among parents, to find out the association between the level of knowledge regarding ill effects of passive smoking with selected demographic variables. Experimental study design with one group pre-test post-test design was used for the study. The sample consisted of 60 parents, selected by non probability convenience sampling technique. Data was collected by structured knowledge questionnaire on ill effects of passive smoking in children. After collecting demographic data and conducting the pre-test, Information Booklet was given to the samples. Seven days after giving information booklet post test was conducted using the same structured knowledge questionnaire used for collecting the pre test. The collected data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: The post test mean value (21) was higher than pre test mean value (8.45). The mean difference value was (12.55) and the obtained t ?test value was 20.5, 50 which was found to be more than the t ?table value (1.725). Since the obtained t value was significant at p less than 0.05 level therefore Research hypothesis (H1) was accepted it was inferred that there was significant difference between mean pre - test and mean post - test knowledge among parents in selected urban areas at Mysore. Hence the Information booklet found to be highly effective in increasing the knowledge level of parents. Interpretation and conclusion: The study showed that the mean post-test scores were higher than mean pre test scores. There was a significant improvement in knowledge scores after the intervention among parents. Thus it can be concluded that there is significant improvement in the knowledge of parents regarding ill effects of passive smoking. The result showed that there is a need for the education of parents to prevent ill effects of passive smoking in children in the urban areas.