Learning Objectives: Describe the impact of the STAMP program on tobacco-related knowledge, attitudes and intended behavior of youth
Abstract:
Problem/Objective:
The Stay Tobacco-free Athlete Mentor Program (STAMP) is a peer-led tobacco prevention curriculum for students in grades 6-8. There is a lack of evaluation efforts that systematically assesses the knowledge, attitude and behavior changes of both peer implementers and the target audience.
Methods:
In 2000, the American Cancer Society Ohio Division began the process of developing a valid and reliable pre and posttest questionnaire to assess tobacco-related knowledge, attitude and behavior change in both peer implementers and target audience participants of STAMP. In 2001, 2,726 middle school STAMP participants completed the pre and post test questionnaire. In 2002, approximately 9,000 additional students will have participated in STAMP and completed the pre and posttest. 2002 results will be presented for middle school STAMP participants.
Results:
Initial results indicate that STAMP has positive impact on the tobacco-related knowledge, attitudes and intended behavior of participants. There was a 7% increase in participants who reported it is “extremely easy” for them not to smoke. Approximately 9% of participants indicated improvement in their ability to explain to others why they do not smoke. Sixty-nine percent of participants reported that they increased their tobacco refusal skills and 68% reported they had learned at least 3 things to help them recognize that tobacco ads are not always true.
Conclusions:
Initial analyses indicate that STAMP is an effective tobacco prevention program. Currently we are developing a quasi-experimental comparison group study to further assess the impacts of STAMP on tobacco knowledge, attitudes and behavior intentions.
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