title: Evaluation of a tobacco prevention program for children: ToPIC.
abstract: This intervention study focused on evaluating the effectiveness of teaching tobacco prevention in children using ToPIC, an interactive program. The program was presented in 2 or 3 class sessions to increase awareness of health risks related to tobacco use. Participants consisted of 201 students from the Boys and Girls Clubs in 5 rural counties of a southeastern state. A significant increase in knowledge from pretest to posttest was found; t(200) = -13.65, p < .0001. Children's responses to the effects of smoking correlated to the content material incorporated in ToPIC. Recommendations for program improvement are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Georgia Southern University, School of Nursing, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA. tmsmith@georgiasouthern.edu
authors.forename: Teresita Maria
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Talley
authors.forename: Mandy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hubbard
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Winn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control*