Résumé
To evaluate the efficacy of two educational strategies to prevent tobacco addiction in schoolchildren living in Herault, France.OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of two educational strategies to prevent tobacco addiction in schoolchildren living in Herault, France.A study was conducted to deliver an intervention and make a concurrent comparison, among elementary school, fifth-grade students, during school years 1992 to 1995, in Herault Department, Montpellier, France. Three observation groups were included: Group 1 was subject to a cross-sectional educational intervention; Group 2 was only subject to a single health activity on World Day Against Smoking; and Group 3 or control was not subject to any intervention.MATERIAL AND METHODSA study was conducted to deliver an intervention and make a concurrent comparison, among elementary school, fifth-grade students, during school years 1992 to 1995, in Herault Department, Montpellier, France. Three observation groups were included: Group 1 was subject to a cross-sectional educational intervention; Group 2 was only subject to a single health activity on World Day Against Smoking; and Group 3 or control was not subject to any intervention.The prognostic role of peers and the family setting on tobacco consumption was confirmed; after three years, the Group subject to the sustained cross-sectional intervention showed a prevalence of smokers significantly lower than that of the other two groups.RESULTSThe prognostic role of peers and the family setting on tobacco consumption was confirmed; after three years, the Group subject to the sustained cross-sectional intervention showed a prevalence of smokers significantly lower than that of the other two groups.Even though tobacco consumption seems to begin earlier in boys than in girls, in the former the prevalence increases from 0.7 to 7% after three years. Preventive educational interventions should be maintained and reinforced to be effective on the initiation and cessation of tobacco smoking among children.CONCLUSIONSEven though tobacco consumption seems to begin earlier in boys than in girls, in the former the prevalence increases from 0.7 to 7% after three years. Preventive educational interventions should be maintained and reinforced to be effective on the initiation and cessation of tobacco smoking among children.