Developing a Programme to Prevent Smoking among Teenagers in High School in Saudi Arabia - Essay Example

Developing a Programme to Prevent Smoking among Teenagers in High School in Saudi Arabia Introduction As per estimations, nearly five million individuals die annually in the world from smoking associated health problems. It would be vital to mention in this similar concern that teenagers are commonly observed as the main individual group indulged in smoking for various reasons such as mitigating stress and combating against boredom or even to feel adult-like (Bassiony, 2009; Griffiths & Hunter, 2007; NHS, 2004). Evidence reveals that broader stakeholder engagement can through partnership working help prevention of the problem of smoking through accomplishing short-term demands of the smokers and offering opportunities for extensively executing smoking eradication related programs and policies (Raingruber, 2012). Finally, partnership working facilitates in preventing smoking amid the individuals in the form of conducting and researching numerous epidemiologic studies regarding the identification of contributory factors of smoking that often lead towards preventable premature death of the individuals (ASH Scotland, 2012; Brownson & et al., 1999). Apart from these, various intervention programmes were formulated and practiced for the prevention of smoking amid this particular group, i.e. teenagers in high schools in Saudi Arabia. These programmes can be apparently observed in the form of Tobacco Control Programme and Smoking Cessation Programme among others (Subramanian, 1999). Specially mentioning, forming and developing effective educational programmes accentuating the negative effects of smoking can be duly regarded as one of the vital and indispensable approaches towards preventing as well as eradicating smoking when targeting teenagers (Canadian Pharmacists Association, 2001; Gupta & et al., 1992). With this concern, the essay intends to develop an effective programme for preventing teens in high school in Saudi Arabia from smoking, based on evidences regarding the same. Various aspects, such as the socio, cultural, economic along with environmental factors persisting within Saudi Arabia, size of the issue, SWOT analysis, policy drivers and potential stakeholders would be accordingly discussed in the essay. Development of an Initial Statement of the Issue Background In this modern day context, excessive consumption of tobacco in the form of smoking is one of the prevalent health issues observed amid teenagers. It has been apparently observed that this particular health issue broadly exists amid the people in several industrialised nations. Being one of the foremost industrialised nations, Saudi Arabia is also witnesses rising concern for teenage smoking in its various demographic regions. This can be justified with reference to the fact that the nation ranks among the top countries in terms of tobacco consumption and imports of cigarettes per year from almost every country of the world (Abdalla & et. al., 2007). Specially mentioning, various studies projected that a high extent of smoking is prevalent amid the teenagers in high school in Saudi Arabia (Nohair, 2011; Abdalla & et. al., 2007). A critical understanding of the social construction followed in Saudi Arabia further revealed that certain social factors prevail within the nation those have eventually led towards high prevalence of smoking habit amid the teenagers in high schools. These social factors include the existence of smoker parents along with friends or peers of the teenagers, educational qualifications of the parents and extreme level of stress during academics as the prime (Fida & Abdelmoneim, 2013). Overall, it can be affirmed that smoking is largely prevalent amid the teenagers in high schools of Saudi Arabia, which eventually triggers the need for developing effective programmes to prevent and eradicate the same. Context Socio-economic conditions. In order to develop an effective programme to prevent smoking amid teenagers in high schools of Saudi Arabia, the overall socio-economic, cultural and environmental settings of the country have been analysed. In relation to the socio-economic factors prevailing within Saudi Arabia, the nation has been witnessing massive enhancements in this field over the recent 30 years. This improvement of the nation can be measured in terms of profound progress made in various aspects such as education, environment along with health and housing. Evidently, the establishment of such infrastructures eventually supported the nation to uplift its socio-economic position in terms of raising greater employment opportunities, revenues, incomes and enhancing the living standards of the people (WHO, 2006; Llamas & Custodio, 2002). It can be affirmed that with the advancement of the aforesaid infrastructures, especially the societal conditions of the nation, the teenagers in high school are extensively involved in smoking. Cultural conditions. The cultural conditions of Saudi Arabia are fundamentally based upon adhering Islamic values and preserving social stability in the circumstance of rapidly changing business environment and societal settings. While analysing the cultural conditions prevailing in Saudi Arabia, major transformations in wealth accumulation can be apparently viewed within the nation. In this similar context, it would be vital to mention that the aforementioned aspects, i.e. preserving social stability and adhering Islamic values along with beliefs seem to be the consistent objectives of the developmental plans of Saudi Arabia, while under the strong influence of western cultures (Scribd Inc., 2014; Menipaz & Menipaz, 2011). These developments have eventually contributed in raising the habit of smoking amid the teenagers in high schools by influencing their psychological perspectives relating to modern norms and rituals. Environmental conditions. The environmental conditions of Saudi Arabia is witnessing a developmental phase due to its speedy industrialisation along with liberalisation, specifically with booming and developing nations. Observably, this speedy industrialisation along with liberalisation factor eventually resulted in generating potential environmental problems in Saudi Arabia that included air pollution, climate change and water pollution among others. This can also be duly considered as one of the utmost challenges, faced by several industrial cities belonging to Saudi Arabia. In response, the government of the nation is endeavouring towards making deliberate efforts in mitigating the concern by way of conducting surveys and utilising innovative technologies at an extensive rate (Vincent, 2008; FUJITSU, n.d.). Size of the Issue The issue concerning smoking, which is largely prevalent amid the teenagers in high schools of Saudi Arabia, can be duly considered as a severe one as it poses major threats to the future health of the society altogether. This particular opinion can be justified with reference to the fact that it directly affects the individual health of the teenagers and eventually causes high extent of morbidity along with mortality within the young age population of the society (Yusuf & et al., 2011; Bassiony, 2009). This can be justified with reference to the fact that the access as well as the cost of tobacco or cigarette products in Saudi Arabia is quite flexible and affordable too. In relation to access tobacco or cigarette products, it has been apparently observed that despite the ban of public smoking, the tobacco/cigarette products showed impressive growth in Saudi Arabia (Euromonitor International, 2014). Relating to the cost of cigarette products, it can be viewed that the price of cigarettes is quite affordable in Saudi Arabia. For instance, a pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) in Saudi Arabia costs 9 Riyals, which apparently depicts the affordability of the people in the nation to pay for it (Numbeo, 2014). Potential Stakeholders After acquiring a brief idea about high occurrences of smoking amid the teenagers in high school in Saudi Arabia, it can be affirmed that an effective intervention programme is required to mitigate the same. In this regard, the potential stakeholders, that include the state along with the local officials, community leaders and the policy makers, might play an imperative role in establishing, developing, implementing along with preserving those sorts of programmes effectively (Al-Munif, 2009; CDC, 2001). Quantification of the Issue Rates, risks, scope and extent. Various researches and studies projected that smoking is enormously prevalent in diverse regions of Saudi Arabia, wherein the rate of teenagers as victims of smoking habit in high school is non-negligible. According to these researches and studies, the rate of smoking prevalence had been estimated at nearly about 17% amid the teenagers in high schools in Riyadh only. Moreover, in Kuwait, the smoking prevalence was noted to be approximately 34.4% amid the younger generation, representing the teenagers belonging to the age group of around 20 years or below. In addition, the commonness of smoking ‘shisha’ in Saudi Arabia overall, was accounted to 13% amid the teenagers in high school (Nohair, 2011). It can also be affirmed that the scope of the issue would enlarge in future by a considerable extent, as the evidences reveal that a major proportion of the teenagers in high school of Saudi Arabia adopt smoking by following their teachers to smoke (Fida & Abdelmoneim, 2013). Current interventions. One of the prime interventions, which is mainly implemented in various regions of Saudi Arabia to prevent smoking amid teenagers in high school is the utilisation of visual form of advertising. It can be apparently observed in this similar concern that the government of the nation is indulged in promoting anti-smoking advertisements for preventing smoking amid the teenagers in high school (Haseebullah & Almotairi, 2012; World Health Organisation, 2010). SWOT Analysis. One of the major strengths of the above-discussed interventions can be determined on the basis of its common intentions of generating greater awareness about the ill effects of smoking amid the teenagers in high schools of Saudi Arabia, with an aim to discourage them from smoking. On the other hand, the ignorance of such interventions can be duly considered as a major weakness. As mentioned earlier, the possibility of teenagers being victimised to smoking habits in high schools of Saudi Arabia is quite high, as they follow their teachers or their parents at home when smoking (Haseebullah & Almotairi, 2012). The development of a new intervention programme based upon these weaknesses or loopholes of the existing ones would be an effective step to prevent smoking habits from growing amid the teenagers. In this similar concern, one of the threats that might be faced while developing and implementing the new intervention programme is lack of support from the teenagers, which was also apparent in the previous programmes conducted with a similar objective, as they are already habituated towards smoking due to various reasons (Sussman & et al., 2006; Mermelstein, 2003). It has been evident that the existence of evidences concerning any issue, eventually aids in formulating programs or policies in a more effective manner to cope up with the same. In this similar concern, effectual Public Health (PH) planning as well as implementation often necessitates the evidences of a particular issue to be taken into concern for determining its effectiveness and solving the same in an effective manner. In relation to the case of preventing smoking habits amid the teenagers in high schools of Saudi Arabia, a newly developed intervention program may require the evidences regarding the prevailing rate of smoking habits amid teenagers for determining its effectiveness and resolving the same effectively (Brownson & et al., 1999). Accordingly, the evidences concerning the prevalence of smoking amid the teenagers in high schools of Saudi Arabia have been presented in the following section. Evidences Identifiably, the evidences revealing the prevalence of smoking amid the teenagers in high schools of Saudi Arabia can be determined based upon qualitative as well as quantitative research studies. Evidences concerning the above-discussed subject matter can also be determined based upon various systematic reviews, opinion papers and cohort studies among others. Correspondingly, taking into concern the assistance of these aforementioned information sources, the discussion henceforth will aim at developing an effective intervention programme towards preventing smoking amid the teenagers in high schools of Saudi Arabia. Justifiably, based upon a quantitative research study, the percentage of the smokers, especially the teenagers in high schools of the nation can be determined (Hashim, 2000). In addition, based upon a qualitative research studies, the existing interventions of preventing smoking amid the teenagers in high schools can also be apparently observed and assessed for the accurate identification of the loopholes that caused the weaknesses of the programmes along with their strengths for further construction of a more effective prevention program (AL-Doghether, 2004; Ezzati, 2004). Consideration of the Policy Background With regards to the issue concerning the prevalence of smoking amid the teenagers in high schools of Saudi Arabia, the major policy drivers would be forming, developing, implementing along with preserving effective policies towards smoking cessation as well as prevention and evaluating these policies in a constant manner. Moreover, the other important policy driver with regards to the aforesaid issue would be adopting evidence based PH practices in order to determine its effectiveness and the need to mitigate the prevalent smoking behaviour amid the teenagers (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2014; Lee & Collin, 2005). Potential Stakeholders As previously mentioned, the potential stakeholders relevant to the development of a prevention programme targeting teenagers from high schools in Saudi Arabia, will include the community leaders, the policy makers and most vitally, the respective state along with the local officials. It is worth mentioning that these potential stakeholders would play an imperative role in evaluating the newly developed programme and complying with the specific needs of the stated issue. It can be accordingly stated that their interest levels would be quite high in developing such sort of quality and effective programmes that have the potentiality of preventing smoking habits amid the teenagers in high schools of Saudi Arabia. In this regard, the above identified potential stakeholders require to remain much involved in the evaluation process of the prevention programme so that their interest levels get influenced up to the optimum level in developing a quality programme against the stated issue of teenage smoking. Development and Prioritisation of Programme Options Development of an Action Plan In order to develop an appropriate and effective programme for preventing smoking amid teenagers in high schools of Saudi Arabia, three phases would be taken into concern. These criteria will include theoretical phase, modelling phase and trialling phase. Based upon the existing interventions related to the prevention of smoking amid teenagers in high school, a newly developed programme, i.e. ‘intensive clinical intervention’ would be undertaken. In the theoretical phase, this newly developed intervention programme would be analysed for resolving the stated issue. Subsequently, in the modelling phase, the above-discussed intervention would be utilised in such a way so that the major causes of smoking amid the teenagers in high schools of Saudi Arabia can be determined. Finally, in the trialling phase, the newly developed intervention would focus on identifying the settings, which motivate teenagers to smoke in an extensive manner during their school days (Honisett & et al., 2009). This action plan can be better understood with the help of the following pictorial illustration. Build in Evaluation from the Planning Stage It would be vital to mention when considering the evaluation process suitable for the entire prevention programme that certain evidences based on the success and failure of previous programmes should be taken into concern during its final execution. Consideration to these aspects is quite likely to prove beneficial in developing the entire prevention program as an effective one, working towards mitigating weaknesses of the previous intervention plans and rendering significance towards implementing the newly developed intervention programme. These evidences might include the effectiveness of the programme supporting the prevention of smoking amid the teenagers in high schools of Saudi Arabia and the non-acceptance of the intervention programme, proving it ineffective in mitigating the same. As the prime intention of the newly developed intervention programme is to prevent smoking, which is quite prevalent amid the teenagers in high schools of Saudi Arabia, it is quite indispensable to consider the above evidences for its effective implementation. Barriers/Facilitators to Change After acquiring a brief idea about the prevalence of extreme smoking habits amid the teenagers in high schools of Saudi Arabia, it can be stated that there lays the requirement of developing an effectual programme, which would prevent the stated concern at large. In this similar context, the barriers or the facilitators to change relating to the newly developed intervention programme might comprise smoking habits of the parents as well as the school teachers and the willingness of the school authorities to offer effective counselling aids, emphasising consumption of tobacco to the smokers to a substantial extent (Qahtani & et al., 2007). Recommendations Based upon the various quantitative along with qualitative studies and systematic reviews, opinion papers and cohort studies, the prevalence of smoking amid the teenagers in high schools of Saudi Arabia can be apparently observed. Apparently, the percentage of the teenagers in high schools, who decide in favour of smoking habits, can also be identified based on the above-discussed studies. According to the studies of Nohair (2011) and Abdalla & et. al. (2007), it has been apparently observed that the teenagers studying in high schools in various regions of the nation are much prone towards smoking due to various social and behavioural factors such as lack of education of their parents and greater prevalence of smoking habits amid their elders. Based upon these implications, there lays a greater need for developing an effective intervention programme for preventing smoking among teenagers, which is vastly prevalent within high school settings in various regions of Saudi Arabia. It would be vital to mention that in order to generate further evidences from the evaluation of the chosen intervention programme, i.e. intensive clinical intervention, an in-depth study is required for recognising the behavioural attitudes of the teenagers towards smoking, which would further aid in identifying the major motivational factors to the issue and take preventive measures accordingly. Conclusion As per the above conducted analysis and discussion, it can be apparently observed that a major proportion of the teenagers studying in high schools of Saudi Arabia are much inclined towards smoking. Prevalence of the issue has been majorly owing to the reason of certain social along with behavioural factors such as lack of education of the parents, poor demographic structure and smoking habits prevalent within the elders. Certain existing intervention programmes in Saudi Arabia in opposition to smoking can be viewed in terms of awareness campaigns being conducted in schools and other social settings as well as non-smoking advertisements among others. It would be vital to mention in this regard that based upon these existing intervention programmes in Saudi Arabia, a newly developed intervention programme is required to be adopted and implemented for preventing the extreme prevalence of smoking amid the teenagers studying in high schools in various regions of the nation. It is worth mentioning in this regard that the newly established intervention programme of ‘intensive clinical intervention’, as was proposed through this study, would aid in preventing smoking habits amid the teenagers through the incorporation of various sorts of initiatives that comprise delivering appropriate individual counselling, forming supportive group sessions and implementing aversion therapies among others. Thus, it can be concluded that the aforementioned newly developed intervention programme would also act as an effectual PH programme in mitigating the stated issue by a considerable degree. References ASH Scotland. (2012). Introduction. Integrating Tobacco Education into Curriculum For Excellence: Case Studies: 1-21. Al-Munif, M. A. (2009). Report on tobacco control program of ministry of health In Saudi Arabia. Retrieved from http://www.tcp-sa.info/photos/files/REPORT_ON_TCP.pdf Abdalla, A. M., Al-Kaabba, A. F., Saeed, A. A., Abdulrahman, B. B., & Raat, H. (2007). Gender differences in smoking behaviour among adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J, 28 (7): 1102-8. AL-Doghether, M. H. (2004). Smoking cessation interventions; behavioural interventions. Middle East Journal of Family Medicine, 2 (2): 1-11. Bassiony, M. M. (2009). Smoking in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J, 30 (7): 876-881. Brownson, R. C., Gurney, J. G., & Land, G. H. (1999). Evidence-based decision making in public health. J Public Health Management Practice, 5 (5): 86-97. CDC. (2001). Engage stakeholders. Justification of Estimates for Appropriation Committees: 1-130. Canadian Pharmacists Association. (2001). Joint statement on smoking cessation tobacco — the role of health professionals in smoking cessation. Retrieved from http://www.pharmacists.ca/cpha-ca/assets/File/cpha-on-the-issues/PPSmokingCessation.pdf Ezzati, M. (2004). Comparative quantification of health risks: sexual and reproductive health. Geneva: WHO. Euromonitor International. (2014). Tobacco in Saudi Arabia. Retrieved from http://www.euromonitor.com/tobacco-in-saudi-arabia/report Fida, H. R., & Abdelmoneim, I. (2013). Prevalence of smoking among secondary school male students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: a survey study. BMC Public Health, 13, 1-5. FUJITSU. (n.d.). Air and water pollution: urgent problems. Contributions to Improve the Environment in Saudi Arabia through the Environmental Management System: 76-79. Gupta, P. C., Hammer, J. E., & Murti, P. R. (1992). Control of tobacco-related cancers and other diseases. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. Griffiths, S., & Hunter, D. J. (2007). New perspectives in public health. United States: Radcliffe Publishing. Haseebullah, & Almotairi, M. (2012). Smoking in Saudi Arabia and its control measures. British Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 5 (2): 69-75. Hashim, T. J. (2000). Smoking habits of students in college of applied medical science, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Medical Journal, 21 (1): 76-80. Honisett, S., Woolcock, S., Porter, C., & Hughes, I. (2009). Developing an award program for childrens settings to support healthy eating and physical activity and reduce the risk of overweight and obesity. BMC Public Health, 9: 1-11. Lee, K., & Collin, J. (2005). Global change and health. US: McGraw-Hill International. Llamas, M. R., & Custodio, E. (2002). Intensive use of groundwater: challenges and opportunities. US: CRC Press. Menipaz, E., & Menipaz, A. (2011). International business: theory and practice. US: SAGE. Mermelstein, R. (2003). Teen smoking cessation. Tobacco Control, 12: i25-i34. Nohair, S. F. A. (2011). Prevalence of smoking and its related behaviours and beliefs among secondary school students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Int J Health Sci, 5 (1): 51-57. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2014). Strategy, policy and commissioning for smoking prevention and cessation. Retrieved from https://pathways.nice.org.uk/pathways/smoking/strategy-policy-and-commissioning-for-smoking-prevention-and-cessation NHS. (2004). Introduction. Evidence Briefing: 1-69. Numbeo. (2014). Prices in Saudi Arabia. Retrieved from http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Saudi+Arabia Qahtani, D. A., Qahtani, M. A., Otaibi, O. A., & Mobeeriek, A. A. Dentists’ attitudes and practice regarding smoking cessation intervention and prevention in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Retrieved from http://faculty.ksu.edu.sa/ohoud/Publication1/DentistAttitudeTowardSmokingCessation.pdf Raingruber, B. (2012). Contemporary health promotion in nursing practice. US: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Subramanian, U. (1999). Public choices between lifesaving programs how important are lives saved? Wshington: World Bank Publications. Sussman, S., Sun, P., & Dent, C. W. (2006). A meta-analysis of teen cigarette smoking cessation. Health Psychology, 25 (5): 549-557. Scribd Inc. (2014). Pestle on Saudi Arabia. Retrieved from http://www.scribd.com/doc/80738816/Pestle-analysis-on-Saudi-Arabia Vincent, P. (2008). Saudi Arabia: an environmental overview. US: CRC Press. WHO. (2006). Country cooperation strategy for WHO and Saudi Arabia 2006–2011. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/countryfocus/cooperation_strategy/ccs_sau_en.pdf World Health Organisation. (2010). Hidden cities: unmasking and overcoming health inequities in urban settings. Geneva: WHO. Yusuf, S., Cairns, J., Camm, J., Fallen, E. L., & Gersh, B. J. (2011). Evidence-based cardiology. US: John Wiley & Sons. Read More