Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,

2 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Research and Development, Vice Chancellery for Food and Drug, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Department of Research and Development, Vice Chancellery for Food and Drug, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: There is increasing evidence for declining the onset age of drug abuse worldwide. This
study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of four educational methods including lecture,
presentation of poster and leaflet, presentation of video clip, and group/class discussion for life skills
training and changing in knowledge and attitude of adolescents toward drug abuse.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a pretest–posttest design, a sample of 897 girl and boy high
school students from the first grade (14–15 years old) were involved in this cross‑sectional study
conducted in Isfahan, Iran. After collection of pretest questionnaires, each educational method was
implemented separately for one class in one session (3 h) in each high school, and evaluation was
carried out immediately after intervention through posttest questionnaires by the same students.
RESULTS: According to paired t‑test, the video clip‑ and lecture‑based methods were significantly
efficient in changing the attitudes toward drug abuse in boy and girl students, respectively. Analysis
of covariance showed significant differences between girls and boys in pretest–posttest attitude
scores using group discussion‑based and video clip‑based methods.
CONCLUSION: Life skills training program through lecture‑based and video clip‑based educational
methods was considerably effective in changing the high school students’ attitude toward drug abuse
and addiction.

Keywords

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