Abstract
This research was done to study the effect of smoking
on academic performance of students of ABCD College. It also aimed at finding
how school environment, family background, curiosity of student, Friends, etc.
influence students for smoking. It was
observed that students performed worse, they couldn’t concentrate on study and
even some had memory loss. The significance of
this research is that it could serve to provide knowledge about cause
and effect of smoking and assist in lowering smoking.
Introduction
Nowadays many students are addicted to smoking and
some even smoke daily. They suffer from health hazards and even their daily
activities are altered. So this research was conducted to know the effect of
smoking on the academic performance of students, causes of smoking and suggest
some measures to lower smoking and to improve the condition of smokers. For
this, some students from ABCD college were selected and they were asked like
why do they smoke?, how often they smoke?, how has it affected their lifestyle
and academic performance?, have they been visiting hospital? and based on the
reply to these questions conclusion were drawn.
Materials and methods
The research was survey based so questionnaire asking
personal profile, reason for smoking etc. was prepared and Fagerstrom test was conducted
for nicotine dependence.
Research was conducted on 1000 students of ABCD
College taking permission from authorities. Students were given the questions
and were assured that their data would be confidential and used for research
only encouraging them to give correct information.
Result
Out of 1000 students, 610(61%) were male and 390(39%)
were female of which 140 male (23%) and 7 female (10.25%) were smokers. Total
smokers were 147 students (14.7%) of which 50 (34%) were daily smokers and 40
smokers (27.21%) were trying to give up smoking due to various reasons like
health problem, awareness programme, social problems etc.
Tables
Table 1. Status of smokers
|
|
Male
|
Female
|
Total
|
|
Smokers
|
140
|
7
|
147
|
|
Non-Smokers
|
470
|
383
|
853
|
|
Total
|
610
|
390
|
1000
|
Discussion
Data was collected through questionnaire and analyzed.
Students were selected randomly for research from a college of a city. 14.7%
were found to be smoker of which 14% were male and 0.7% female. The percentage
of smoker is comparatively less which may have been because of education. Most
of the smokers had poor academic performance. They couldn’t concentrate on
study. Many smokers visited health clinics, health counselor so they couldn’t
attend class regularly and couldn’t submit home assignment on time and
moreover, they couldn’t actively participate in class. Some were even observed
to have rude behavior maintaining unhealthy environment in school. The reason
for smoking were curiosity of student, pressure from friends, family members
having smokers, advertisement etc. In this research 40 smokers(27.21%) were
trying to give up smoking due to various reason like social problem, health
problem, awareness programme etc. To lower smoking, parents and teachers should
give proper guidance to the smokers, they should be made aware and they should
not be given much burden as many smoke to relief from psychological tension
than physical. Smokers should be sent to rehabilitation centre. The results
obtained being satisfactory and the students being encouraged to give correct
information as they were assured that their information would be confidential,
there is no requirement of further research.
Acknowledgement
I would like to acknowledge my deep sense of gratitude
to the Nepal Health Association (NHA) for assisting to conduct the research
successfully.
I would like to
thank to the ABCD College members for permitting to conduct the research
in their college.
I would also thank to the Research team members
without whom research would not have been possible.
References
http://www.unh.edu
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