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conferenceseries
.com
Volume 09
Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy
Addiction Summit 2018
May 17-18, 2018
May 17-18, 2018 Singapore
8
th
International Conference on
Addictive Disorders and Alcoholism
Health promotion intervention for schooling adolescents on harm of alcohol and industry strategies
improved awareness and generates collective actions against alcohol use in the community: Example
from rural Sri Lanka
Madubashini B A N
1
, Fernando WMS
1
, Jayamal de Silva
2
and Senarathna L
1
1
Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka
2
Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka
Statement of the Problem:
Alcohol is the single most important cause of preventable illness and premature deaths worldwide.
Behavior change and pharmacotherapy are the two key interventions to reduce alcohol consumption. Alcohol industry
use diverse strategies to attract teenagers who are vulnerable and adventurous. Hence counter strategies such as improving
knowledge on industry agenda and real harm of alcohol are needed to reduce alcohol use among teenage groups. This study
reveals effectiveness of an intervention designed to generate collective actions through improving knowledge among schooling
adolescents on real harm of alcohol and industry strategies. The study was conducted in a rural area where educational facilities
are low and 140 schooling adolescents from the same area were recruited.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation:
A self-administrated questionnaire which focused on knowledge and attitudes on
real harm and alcohol industry strategies were used to assess participants’ knowledge and as a part of intervention. Focus group
discussions were also conducted for the same purpose. An interactive workshop was conducted by expert to discuss industry
strategies used to attract them, myths spread though advertisements and promotions and privileges given to drunkards in the
society. Changes of knowledge and attitude of participants were assessed using qualitative methods and structured observations
during focus group discussions following the intervention.
Finding:
Students showed improvements in knowledge on physical, economic and social harms of alcohol. They also have
improved view on strategies used by alcohol industry. Number of participants took actions to reduce alcohol consumption of
their fathers and started showing disagreement with alcohol use in public by criticizing behavior of alcohol users. Students can
be inspired to initiate and take part in collective actions and make supportive environment to quit alcohol and substance use.
Conclusion & Significance:
Similar health promotion intervention targeting alcohol can be used in similar setting targeting
teenage groups or student groups as change makers.
Biography
Madubashini B A N is currently pursuing BSc in Health Promotion at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. She works with the community for health promotional works
for more than three years. She has studied about human resource management, informational technology and psychology. She has interests to work on control
substance use and control non-communicable diseases of the rural community.
madubashi360@gmail.comMadubashini B A N et al., J Addict Res Ther 2018, Volume 9
DOI: 10.4172/2155-6105-C1-036