# Effectiveness of a Capacity-Building Session for Nursing Students on Account of World No Tobacco Day in India: A Preliminary Study

## TL;DR

A study found that a lecture on tobacco's dangers improved nursing students' knowledge, which could help prevent oral cancer in India.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the effectiveness of a targeted educational intervention in improving nursing students' understanding of tobacco-related health risks.

## Key findings

- Nursing students showed a significant increase in knowledge after a sensitization lecture on tobacco.
- Pre-test and post-test scores revealed a statistically significant improvement (p=0.027).

## Abstract

Background: Tobacco, being a cash crop in India, its production and consumption is high. Oral cancer, having the prime etiological factor as tobacco, accounts for a substantial number of all cancer cases in India. In order to curb the habit amongst the masses, it is imperative to get the maximum workforce on hand to promote the detrimental effects of tobacco.

Objective: To evaluate the level of knowledge among nursing students about tobacco before and after receiving an intervention in the form of a sensitization lecture about the use of tobacco in India.

Methods: This preliminary study was conducted among a convenience sample of 61 nursing students. A pre- and post-survey questionnaire, comprising demographic details and knowledge about the ill effects of tobacco (eight items), was distributed. The survey questionnaire was tailor-made and validated by five subject matter experts.

Results: The pre-test median was 4.2 (range=1 to 7), and that of the post-test was 4.8 (range=2 to 8). When Student's t-test was applied, a significant difference was observed between the scores (p=0.027).

Conclusion: The level of knowledge was significantly higher after receiving the lecture. Nursing students will be future healthcare professionals. They can act as a channel to educate the population on matters of oral cancer prevention.