Impact of a child-to-child programme on knowledge, attitude and practices regarding tobacco hazards among government school children in urban Belagavi: an interventional study

Kalmeshwar Revagoud; Chelikam Veeraraghavendra Reddy; Darshan Patil; Ravindra Sarawade

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20254250

Authors

Kalmeshwar Revagoud Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgavi, Karnataka, India
Chelikam Veeraraghavendra Reddy Indian Institute of Public Health, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Darshan Patil Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgavi, Karnataka, India
Ravindra Sarawade Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgavi, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20254250

Keywords:

Child-to-child approach, Tobacco prevention, Adolescent health, Peer education, School-based intervention, Health promotion

Abstract

Background: Tobacco initiation commonly begins during adolescence, making school-based preventive strategies essential. Peer-led and participatory approaches such as the child-to-child (CtC) method may enhance awareness and influence behavioural change. This study assessed the impact of a CtC educational intervention on knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding tobacco use among government school children in urban Belagavi.

Methods: A pre- and post-test interventional study was conducted among 160 students from two government high schools. IX-standard students (trainers) were educated using structured sessions and subsequently trained VIII-standard students (trainees) following the CtC approach. A validated questionnaire assessed sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices before and two months after the intervention. Wilcoxon signed rank test and Mann-Whitney U Test were used for analysis.

Results: Knowledge improved significantly in both groups, with trainers and trainees attaining post-test median scores of 17, compared to 11 and 9 at baseline (p<0.05). Attitude scores also improved markedly (trainers: 6 to 8; trainees: 3 to 8; p<0.05). Favourable attitudes toward tobacco avoidance increased substantially. Ever-use and past 30-day tobacco use decreased in both groups, while attempts to discourage tobacco use among family members increased. Awareness of environmental risk cues-such as tobacco sale points and anti-tobacco posters-also improved post-intervention.

Conclusions: The CtC approach effectively enhanced students’ knowledge, attitudes, and selected tobacco-related practices. Peer-led, child-centred strategies hold promise for strengthening school-based tobacco prevention initiatives and influencing family and environmental awareness.

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