A smoking prevention photoageing intervention for secondary schools in Brazil delivered by medical students: protocol for a randomised trial

Abstract

IntroductionMost smokers start smoking during their early adolescence, often with the idea that smoking is glamorous; the dramatic health consequences are too far in the future to fathom. We recently designed and tested an intervention that takes advantage of the broad availability of mobile phones as well as adolescents’ interest in their appearance. A free photoageing mobile app (Smokerface) was implemented by medical students in secondary schools via a novel method called mirroring. The pupils’ altered three-dimensional selfies on tablets were ‘mirrored’ via a projector in front of their whole grade. This is the first randomised trial to measure the effectiveness of the mirroring approach on smoking behaviour in secondary schools.Methods and analysisThe mirroring intervention, which lasts 45 min, is implemented by Brazilian medical students in at least 35 secondary school classes with 21 participants each (at least 35 classes with 21 participants for control) in February 2018 in the city of Itauna, Brazil. External block randomisation via computer is performed on the class level with a 1:1 allocation. In addition to sociodemographic data, smoking behaviour is measured via a paper–pencil questionnaire before, 3 and 6 months postintervention plus a random carbon monoxide breathing test at baseline and end line. The primary outcome is cigarette smoking in the past week at 6 months follow-up. Smoking behaviour (smoking onset, quitting) and effects on the different genders are studied as secondary outcomes. Analysis is by intention to treat.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is obtained from the ethics committee of the University of Itauna in Brazil. Results will be disseminated at conferences, in peer-reviewed journals, throughout the Education Against Tobacco network social media channels and on our websites.Trial registration numberNCT03178227.

Promotion of Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Lifestyles for Teenagers: A Systematic Literature Review of The Current Methodologies

“…One study [36] aimed to measure its effectiveness in changing smoking behavior in a mirroring approach using a mobile photoaging application named "Smokerface". This study included young people from 13 to 19 years old, in Itauna, Brazil [36]. At the start, a selfie was taken for each participant [36].…”

“…This study included young people from 13 to 19 years old, in Itauna, Brazil [36]. At the start, a selfie was taken for each participant [36]. Before 3 and 6 months after the intervention, a tobacco consumption questionnaire was implemented [36].…”

“…At the start, a selfie was taken for each participant [36]. Before 3 and 6 months after the intervention, a tobacco consumption questionnaire was implemented [36]. In a total of 735 students, two groups were made, where one made use of the mobile application, and the other group did not have access to the mobile application [36].…”

“…Faria et al [36] People start smoking during adolescence. One of the effects of smoking is getting old faster, as well as other verified health consequences.…”

Das weltweite Medizinernetzwerk Aufklärung gegen Tabak – Ehrenamtliche Prävention made in Germany

“…Da in einer vergangenen Studie bereits die unterschiedliche Wirksamkeit eines Tabakpräventionsprogramms in verschiedenen europäischen Ländern gezeigt werden konnte, kann angenommen werden, dass auch das AGT-Curriculum vor verschiedenen soziokulturellen Hintergründen nicht generalisiert präventiv wirkt [34,46]. Daher werden parallel zu der Evaluation in Deutschland der Mirroring-Ansatz sowie das komplette Curriculum in randomisiert kontrollierten Langzeitstudien mit über 1500 Sekundarschüler/innen in Brasilien untersucht [13,47].…”