Tobacco and Alcohol Use Outcomes of a School-based Intervention in New Delhi

K. Srinath Reddy, MD, DM, MS; Monika Arora, MSc; Cheryl L. Perry, PhD, FAAHB; Bijay Nair, MD; Arti Kohli, MSc; Leslie A. Lytle, PhD, RD; Melissa Stigler, MPH; D. Prabhakaran, MD, DM  

Objective: To reduce tobacco use among adolescents. Methods: Thirty schools in New Delhi, India, were randomly assigned to 3 conditions: school-based and family-based intervention, school-based intervention only, or control group. Students were in the seventh grade at pretest (N=4,776). The smoking intervention included posters, booklets, classroom activities, debates, and a signature campaign. The family intervention involved home activities. The survey measured tobacco knowledge, attitudes, offers, use, and intentions. Results: Intervention students were significantly less likely than controls to have been offered, received, experimented with, or have intentions to use tobacco. Conclusion: The project had a significant impact on tobacco use.
Am J Health Behav 2002;26(3):173-181