Effect of education on the knowledge of soldiers about smoking hazards

Aims. This Research was to determine and compare the effect of lecturing, pamphlet and poster presentation about smoking hazards on the soldier's knowledge. Methods. This is an interventional study done on 1800 soldiers of Fars province. Data collected by a questionnaire. First, a pre-test administered to the soldiers. Then, the first group (N=600) taught by lecturing, the second group by pamphlets and for the third group, 100 posters presented. After one month, soldiers completed the same questionnaire as post-test. Results. Statistical analysis indicated a significant improvement in soldier's knowledge following education in all three groups (p<0.001). Moreover, there was a significant difference among the mean differences of pretest-posttest scores in all three groups (p=0.001). Conclusion. Smoking educational programs can lead to increase health knowledge regarding smoking hazards among soldiers.