title: [Educational intervention in schools for the prevention of smoking: evaluation of the process. Project: OCTOPUS].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The published data on the effectiveness of programs in schools to prevent addiction to tobacco are not consistent. These programs have not been sufficiently studied, and their variables give rise to confusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the process of educational action taken in schools.
  
  
  METHODS
  Student leaders and teachers, who were trained and given guides, developed a socially based program. Two students selected at random from each class were interviewed, using a validated and directed questionnaire. A total of 318 children were interviewed. The Kappa Index was used to measure confidence, and the Inter-Class Coefficient of Correlation and Pearson's Coefficient were used together with analysis of individual differences to compare the data for program adjustment, as supplied by pupils and teachers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean adjustment per class was 30.07 points (48-100% adjustment). 26% of children were unable to mention any alternative to the advantages of smoking, 71.7% were unaware of the frequency of consumption amongst adults and 19.5% were unable to mention any of the tricks used in cigarette advertising. Less than half had performed psychodrama on this subject, as was required. The ICC was 0.21, Pearson's Coefficient was 0.25 (p = 0.02) and the interval of agreement between the descriptions of teachers and students was 6.93 points (-1.70 to 5.23).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The degree to which implementation complied with the proposed model of program was insufficient. We found little agreement between the self-assessment of teachers and the score attained by pupils in compliance with the program. It is essential that this process be evaluated for its impact to be evaluated correctly.
authors.affiliation: Area de Medicina Preventiva de la Facultad de Medicina. Universidad de Oviedo, España.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: López González
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Comas Fuentes
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Herrero Puente
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pereiro Gallo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fernández Carral
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Markham
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Charlton
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Leijs
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mesters
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ausems
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013334:Students