Dilshani Karunarathne
Rajarata University, Sri Lanka
Title: Effectiveness of health promotion intervention on improving skills in identifying alcohol company strategies among school age adolescents
Biography
Biography: Dilshani Karunarathne
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: There are over 3.3 million deaths due to harmful use of alcohol around the world and this figure is 0.02 million in Sri Lanka. The percentage of alcohol users has increased to 26% from 37% in Sri Lanka by 2014. Hiding the real harm and boosting up the image of alcohol emphasize the habit as an ideal way for adulthood. This study was conducted in a rural area where vulnerability and school drop outs are high among adolescents. The aim of this study is to see the effectiveness of a health promotion intervention on improving the ability of identifying alcohol company strategies by adolescents in Mihintale.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The sample size was 40 students who are from the same geographical area. This study is based on a health promotion intervention with qualitative and quantitative assessments. An interviewer administered questionnaire which is focused on students’ knowledge on identifying industrial strategies was used for the data collection. This questionnaire was expected to be part of the intervention as well. Focus group discussions were conducted with students on industrial strategies and about identifying the real harm of alcohol use. Responses of the participants assessed using semi-structured observations and analyzed using content analysis.
Findings: Positive attitudes of students on alcohol changed following the intervention. Students have gained skills of identifying alcohol industrial strategies and breaking down the heroic status given to alcohol users by criticizing them openly. They identify the real economic harm, physiological harm, dependency and social harm attribute to alcohol.
Conclusion & Significance: This health promotion intervention was effective in breaking down the norms of alcohol image and in identifying industry strategies among adolescents. The intervention inspired students, generated curiosity and led to a beneficial way to the community action.