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Monitoring the effectiveness and quality of implementing data-based prevention interventions in real life is a challenge for researchers, teachers and leaders of these programs alike. Qualitative implementation indicators of school-based drug prevention programs are related to the extent to which teachers are prepared to serve as program leaders for their pupils during the implementation phase, how ready they are to cooperate with the school community and reach the goals of prevention programs with the support of their schools. Furthermore, exploration of program implementation fidelity focused on the leadership of the teachers would allow greater insight into the successes and failures of reaching the goals of the respective prevention programs. The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of the Unplugged program and quality of its implementation (exposure, sensitivity) on smoking as reported by school children. This was analysed immediately after implementing the program within a Solomon four group design. A school randomized control trial using the Unplugged program was carried out among schoolchildren at 24 primary schools. Twelve schools were assigned to the experimental group (EG, n = 798, n = 401EG no pre-test, n = 397EG pre-test) while another 12 schools were assigned to the control group (CG, n = 622, n = 298CG no pre-test, n = 333CG pre-test). The mean age of the schoolchildren was 13.5 years, SD = 0.59; 47.5 % girls. The sample consisted of 1420 schoolchildren in total. The data collection was carried out immediately before implementing the program (experimental and control group with a pre-test) and then in all the groups immediately after implementation. The consumption of alcohol and smoking during the last 30 days (Hibbel et al., 2012) was dichotomized for the purposes of a binary logistic regression in the analysis. Exposure was measured by the attendance of the program lessons (there were 12 lessons in total). Sensitivity (experience of school children with the program) was assessed by the scale YES 2.0 (Youth experience survey; Hansen & Larson, 2005) which was adapted for the purposes of this study (Štefaňáková, 2020). The results have not supported a direct effect of the Unplugged program on smoking among schoolchildren. However, the results have shown a moderated effect of alcohol use on smoking. 30.8 % of schoolchildren in the control group and 19.6 % of schoolchildren in the experimental group reported both smoking and alcohol use immediately after implementing the program. Alcohol use increased the chance of smoking by 15 times. The effect of a pre-test on smoking was statistically significant and the inverted value of OR showed a double increase in the probability of smoking when the groups without and with a pre-test were compared. The effect of the Unplugged program on smoking in schoolchildren was not found to be moderated by the pre-test. A lower level of exposure increased the probability of reported smoking immediately after implementing the program. Finally, an effect was found regarding a higher level of novelty seeking on the probability of smoking among the schoolchildren who had taken part in the Unplugged program. The results support the importance of considering the co-occurrence of smoking and alcohol consumption. They further bring attention to the importance of exposure to prevention activities in relation to program effectiveness as well as the importance of the effect of a pre-test. The findings further show that the dimension of novelty seeking is a great challenge for teachers in the context of drug use prevention programs and that it is important to support this dimension in a protective manner. Finally, an evaluation of the effectiveness of prevention programs carried out in schools which focuses on fidelity, quality of implementation and teachers' leadership, clarifies and refines the requirements for school administrations regarding the personal and organizational support needed for prevention activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the early adolescence period the parental behaviour belongs to one of the most important factors that may help to avoid adolescent risk behaviour. Among the most prevalent forms of risk behaviour in early adolescence are smoking and alcohol consumption. The first aim of this study is to explore discrepancies between parental and adolescent perceptions of several factors related to risk behaviour. The second aim of the study is to explore relationship between parental behaviour (as perceived by adolescents) and adolescents smoking and alcohol consumption. Research sample consisted of 580 adolescents (mean age 12.51, SD=0.59; 51.1% girls), 217 mothers and 150 fathers. In all studied all variables but spending free time, showed, significant differences between the perception of adolescents and their mothers /fathers were found with an exception of parental companionship. Results of logistic regression show that the most important factor that is associated with probability of smoking and drinking in early adolescence is perceived parental approval of such behaviour. It seems to be, that regardless of the way how parents try to prevent adolescents risk behaviour, the most important is to show clear and consistent disapproval of such behaviour. Our results may be applied also for teachers and significant others that are in contact with adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of smoking has to be seen as a serious public health phenomenon conditioned by many factors. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper was to measure the extent and type of impact of selected socio-economic variables on tobacco smoking and the views on the risks associated with its use among students. METHODS: The data set was obtained on the basis of a questionnaire survey. SAMPLE: 748 full-time students at Slovak universities (290 males and 458 females). RESULTS: Relatively, the greatest effect is a student's (temporary) job alongside their studies. Out of the thirteen items on tobacco use, the impact of employment was found significant in eight of them. In all cases, employment had a negative influence. Female students showed a significantly lower prevalence of lifetime use of water pipes and seemed to be more concerned about the risks of occasional cigarette smoking in comparison to their male counterparts. The last major determinant is the type of faculty. The medical faculty played a significantly positive role in students' experience with water pipes. Students majoring in health-specific fields reported significantly lower levels of the lifetime use of water pipes. The impact of the other potential determinants under study was insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that being of female gender and majoring in health-oriented fields are factors which have a significant positive effect on the prevalence of tobacco use and opinions about the associated risks among full-time Slovak university students. On the other hand, students' employment has a significantly negative impact. Students who work show a higher prevalence of tobacco use and also spend more money on it. A finding of major concern is that students who work tend to use tobacco together with alcohol, and a significantly larger number of them found it difficult to quit smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]