Effectiveness of Behavior Modification Programme for Cigarette Smoker in Monks in Saraburi Province - ประสิทธิผลของโปรแกรมสุขศึกษา เพือการลดและเลิกสูบบุหรีในพระสงฆ์ จังหวัดสระบุรี

Abstract

                The purpose of this research was to study the effectiveness of a program on “smoking habit reduction and quitting in monks in Saraburi Province”. The study partially employed quasi experimental research. The samples were 67 monks of which 36 monks in one temple were classified as the study group  while the other 31 monks from another temple were set to be the control group. The study group was provided a health education program, which applied the concept of “transtheoretical model”. Such program included lecture, role play, smoking habit quitting manual, group discussion, activity notes and experience exchange. The length of the program was 4 weeks, during which the information and data were collected through questionnaires 3 times. The first data collection round was performed at the beginning of the study. The second data collection was conducted at the end of the experiment; and the last data collection round to monitor behavior was done 6 months after the end of the second round. There was no special education program for the control group. However, smoke-free initiative based on the “smoke-free temple” criteria was implemented in both temples. Data obtained from both groups were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t–test, paired t-test and analysis of variance. It was found that at the end of the program, the study group had significantly higher mean scores on knowledge, attitude, and selfcontrol especially on smoking reduction behavior compared to those at the beginning of the study. The scores were also significantly higher that those of the control group. There was higher percentage of monks in the study group who could quit smoking within 6 months compared to the control group (33.3% vs6.5%). It was also found that smoke-free temple program was also successfully implemented in both temples as all of the following 5 steps were observed: (1) the abbots set a smoke reduction and quitting policy, (2) placement of “smoke-free temple” signboards in 10 areas to describe harmful effects of smoking, (3) staff were assigned to monitor and follow-up on smoking in the temples, (4) monthly report on smoking issues at monthly clergy conferences, and (5) advertised and campaigned on forbidding the present of tobacco to monks. The program developed in this study should be adopted as a model for reducing or quitting smoking in monks in other settings as well.

Key words: heath study program, monks, smoking reduction and