title: Access point analysis: what do adolescents in South Africa say about tobacco control programmes?
abstract: This paper explores adolescent preferences for the setting, timing, delivery format, provider and key elements of tobacco control programmes. The need for programme sensitivity towards urban/rural, gender and ethnic subgroups is also discussed. Schools were purposively selected from the Southern Cape-Karoo Region, South Africa. Twelve prevention and nine cessation focus group discussions were conducted with Grade 6-8 students and Grade 8-9 smokers and ex-smokers, respectively. Adolescents reported similar preferences for prevention and cessation programmes. Although they were unaware of smoking prevention or cessation programmes, they reported a willingness to participate in such programmes. Programmes should include school-based activities that are supported by out-of-school activities held over weekends and holidays. Non-judgemental and empathetic teachers and peers, as well as ex-smokers were preferred as programme providers. School-based participatory delivery formats should be supported by community-based mass media approaches. Programmes can be jointly presented to boys and girls of diverse ethnic backgrounds with some gender-sensitive sessions. Programme participation and sustainability would be enhanced if it were exciting, fun filled and integrated into their daily lives. School-based programmes must be embedded within comprehensive approaches that involve community- and policy-level interventions.
authors.affiliation: National Health Promotion Research.evelopment Group, Medical Research Council, South Africa. dehran@pasasa.org
authors.forename: Dehran
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Swart
authors.forename: Saadhna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Panday
authors.forename: S Priscilla
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bergström
authors.forename: Hein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: de Vries
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001290:Attitude; D002648:Child; D003132:Commerce / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013019:South Africa