Compare the Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior about Smoking in the Elementary Students according to Anti-smoking Education

흡연교육에 따른 초등학생의 흡연에 대한 지식, 태도 및 행위 비교

Purpose: To investigate and compare the knowledge and attitude about smoking of the elementary students according to anti-smoking education. Method: A descriptive comparative study design was used. A total 2,000 of the 4th, 5th and 6th grade of elementary students classified into education and non-education groups according to their anti-smoking education. Knowledge and attitude about smoking were measured by the constructed questionnaire. Results: 1) Students' knowledge about smoking were 11.50point on average with highest score being 20. The knowledge of the education group was significantly higher than those of non-education group. No significant differences were observed according to grade or sex. 2) Students' attitude toward smoking were negative with the mean score 31.70. No significant differences were observed according to anti-smoking education, while students in higher grades and male showed significant favorable attitude toward smoking. 3) Among the students of respondents, 5.3％ answered they had the experience of smoking. The smoking experience of the education group was significantly higher than those of non-education group. 96.0％ of the students would not smoking in the future. No significant differences were observed according to anti-smoking education. Conclusion: The results suggested that a systematic strategy required to lead desirable attitude and behavior about smoking of students.