A Study to Assess the Knowledge Regarding Adverse Effect of Tobacco Use among Adolescent Boys in Selected Areas of Kerala

Abstract

A descriptive research study was done to assess the knowledge regarding tobacco use among adolescent boys in selected areas of Kerala. The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge regarding adverse effects of tobacco use among adolescent boys in selected areas of Kerala, to find out the association between demographic variables and knowledge regarding adverse effects of tobacco use among adolescent boys of selected areas of Kerala. In the present study non experimental research design was selected to assess the knowledge regarding tobacco use among adolescent boys in selected areas of Kerala. A quantitative research approach was adopted. Convenient sample technique was used for this study. The sample consisted of 60 adolescents boys who were in the age group of 16-19 years. Structured questionnaire was given which consists of knowledge regarding adverse effects of tobacco use among adolescent boys. The results revealed that only occupation of the guardian showed significant association with knowledge regarding adverse effects of tobacco calculated value is greater than tabulated value at 0.05 level of significance, whereas age, type of family, education of guardian, family income per month and source of information showed no significant association with knowledge regarding adverse effects of tobacco. Also study revealed that out of 60 sample 5% sample had poor knowledge on adverse effect of tobacco use, 48.3% had average knowledge and 46.7% had good knowledge regarding tobacco use.