Smoking cessation program among military recruits in Armenian preparatory army units

Abstract

The problem of smoking is known to be one of the hazards of human health worldwide. This proposal addresses the problem of smoking, the epidemic of disease and death caused by tobacco production, promotion, and use, through fostering and participating in strategic efforts to achieve comprehensive tobacco prevention and control in the military. According to the literature army recruits are one of the vulnerable groups in the population. Hence it is proposed to reveal the real prevalence of use by army recruits, and associated health effects in this target population, and to suggest measures to reduce the prevalence of smoking in the short has a the way of preparing for a longer term strategy in fighting smoking. The goals of the program are the following: • Preventing initiation of tobacco use among army recruits • Promoting cessation of currently smoking army recruits • Eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke. According to the data of National Statistical Service of RA in 2000-2001 67.5% of males and 3.1% of females were smokers. But according to the data of several small non-governmental organizations 70-72% of males and 25-28% of females are smokers. Educating and raising awareness of smoking hazards among recruits is one of the strategic components toward achieving the goal of smoking reduction. This program is envisaged to last for four months in preparatory army units. The estimated budget is US $13,338, including the preparatory stage, base line and follow up data collection, as well as the education itself which will last for one month. The teaching process will be conducted not only by trainers from the program but also by medical officers, who will be involved as trainer-counselors, and by a group of recruits who will be involved in a peer education. The main goal of the evaluation is to find out to what extent the smoking cessation program may be applicable in Armenia, particularly in the military, and to what extent can the prevalence of smoking be reduced in the target population after participation in the smoking cessation program. The evaluation of the program is based on the assessment of the knowledge and attitudes towards smoking, and practices of smoking by recruits through the use of initial and final questionnaires, and the comparison of these results. The support of Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education and Science is crucial for this program highlighting the concern for future healthy nation. Community support is also critical in establishing a motivating environment towards tobacco control.