The Effectiveness Of The Information Compact Disk And Information Pamphlet In Improving Knowledge About Potential Health Risk Of Shisha Smoking Among Students In One Malaysia Medical College

Abstract

Background: Shisha smokers believe that smoking Shisha is both harmless and non-addictive. However, it is believed that when they are exposed to the information on the health risks, they can reduce the frequency of smoking Shisha. And as had been highlighted by previous researchers, the two important steps to rectify the misconception on and prevention of shisha smoking among smokers in future are: An early educational exposure to the health risks among them and providing immediate protection for them at all the public areas of smoking Shisha. Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of using the information compact disk (CD) and information pamphlet in improving the knowledge on the health risks of Shisha smoking among Shisha and non-Shisha smokers. Methods: This study is based on the experimental research design. Eighty respondents (40 Shisha smokers and 40 non-Shisha smokers) were conveniently selected from a private medical college. The respondents were then randomly assigned to the relevant experimental group and control group.The experimental group was given an information CD, whereas the control group was given an information pamphlet developed by researchers. Results: The use of information CD was found to be more effective than the pamphlet method in improving the knowledge on Shisha smoking in most of the health risk aspects among Shisha smokers. The information CD and pamphlet methods, however, did not show any significant difference in improving the health risks knowledge among the non-Shisha smokers. Conclusion: In the future,The Ministry of Health may have to focus more on developing more technology-based information rather than focusing only on using the pamphlets in disseminating information when promoting health programs. This is specifically important for the current computer-savvy younger generation.