The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: 1) To assess the fidelity of implementation of a multi-component, tobacco prevention program, in urban schools in India, with the help of systematic observations 2) To identify the components which are best implemented.

Methods: Project MYTRI* is a group randomized trial to prevent and reduce tobacco use among youth. 32 schools in Delhi (n=16) & Chennai (n=16) were recruited, matched and randomly assigned to receive a tobacco prevention intervention or delayed intervention. The Year 1 intervention consisted of 7 classroom sessions and 1 intra and inter-school activity in 6th and 8th grades. Classroom sessions followed a uniform methodology with similar components: student-led activity introductions (“mascot scripts”), interactive discussions, interactive games, and worksheets. Observational Assessment: One session was selected from activities 1-4 and 5-7 respectively, in at least 2 classrooms of each intervention school and observed by community co-coordinators.

Results: The “mascot scripts”, which are a student-led activity specific agenda setting introductions were completed on average in 88%(70-96%) of classroom observations, teacher initiated interactive discussions in 70%(60-78%), interactive games in 100 %, student worksheets completed in 81%(70-96%) and teacher initiated and delivered wrap- up discussions in 60%(35-93%)of the activities observed. Conclusion: Games were most popular, most enjoyed and always implemented as compared to discussions and other components. Interactive games should be considered an important component of tobacco prevention curricula in India.

___________________________________________________________________- *MYTRI= Mobilizing Youth for Tobacco Related Initiatives in India