Health Programs on the Reduction of Cigarette Smoking Trend among Men - Research Paper Example

s s of Topic Sentence: The research study will focus on the central issue i.e. cigarette smoking with respect to health education. However, the target population for the study is men, given the gaps in research regarding this population group and also the prevalence of the issue in men with dire gravity. Therefore, the research would tend to explore the effectiveness of health education intervention programmes on the reduction of cigarette smoking trend among men. Content There is immense data over how public policy imperatives regarding taxation of cigarettes and strong legislation regimes against the trend of cigarette smoking impact men. However, comparatively little evidence is available on how educational programmes may impact the issue. Even when discussed, educational policies regarding health initiatives, especially in context to cigarette smoking are studied with reference to teenagers. In other words, researchers tend to believe that the trend of cigarette smoking is prevalent in teens and also, mass media impacts the youth segment of population only. However, data indicates that the segment with the most resources at the hand and the one with the most independence in terms of social pressures is the one most influenced by the trend. In other words, since men tend to be self reliant in terms of financial aspects and also tend to be independent in almost all endeavors of life, this is the segment most likely to undertake the habit of smoking. Also, smoking is directly linked to stress factors, and since men are prone to pressures like dominance and competition at workplaces, this habit again impacts men most. Furthermore, mass media can affect any segment of population, be it women, men, children, even people from various occupational groups or those with varying ideologies; if mass media is targeted appropriately, any segment may be impacted significantly. Background Public health is an issue with varying and vast domains, out of which many even remain untouched by the scholarly community. Furthermore, public health even when discussed is mostly related to medical procedures while other genre of research is often ignored. However, this study will aim at transforming the research arena by connecting communication paradigms with finding remedial measures to health issues. Since smoking is one of the issues which is on public policy agenda of many states, research in the area might be productive for practical purposes as well. Therefore, the aim of the research is to explore dimensions which explain the usefulness of health education programmes targeting men and aiming at truncating the trend of cigarette smoking. PICO Analysis The research has clear parameters and dimensions where the variables as well as the area of influence have been identified. The population which would be studied and targeted would be that of men, as mentioned earlier as well, i.e. male population of the area. The area of intervention would be health education which involves aggressive campaigns via mass media and even the social media. However, the study doesn’t incorporate comparison modes and in fact, the study would be inclusive of aspects surrounding the topic sentence and the variables identified. The outcomes, as clarified earlier as well, are related to the aggregate reduction in the cigarette smoking trends amongst the male population. Methodology: The methodology would incorporate triangulation of acquiring data technique, where various sources would be coupled to produce reliable results. Firstly, recent published data on the subject would be analyzed to see how health related educational programs have been designed and how well they have impacted the issues. Data related to the trend of smoking in men and how content on mass media generally influences them will be discussed. Secondly, simulation questionnaires, focus group discussions and interviews would be arranged to seek answers from the target populations as well. In addition, experts on the subject i.e. psychologists, health practitioners, policy makers and other significant stakeholders will be engaged to draw trends. Also, mass media influencers and media strategists will be engaged to see how the educational programmes must be designed to make a real impact. Quantitative as well as qualitative analysis of the data would result in findings suitable to make a conclusion regarding the topic sentence. In this context, the health imperatives will be coupled with other aspects like economy and culture. However, these health education interventions will be discussed based on medical explanations. The health educational initiatives will tend to address the risk of myocardial infections, strokes, lung function deterioration, COPD, symptomatic aspects, even awareness campaigns educating and explaining vascular diseases and colon cancers directly linked with cigarette smoking explaining how they impact the body anatomy of males. Therefore, the methodology would be quite targeted and thorough to incorporate all aspects of research questions in the study. Inclusions & Exclusions The inclusion criteria for subjects to qualify for being of interest to the research are quite simple. The male population with exposure to educational campaigns, i.e. mass media and social media is the subject of study. The health parameters of these subjects must be varied and inclusive of all those who have suffered through medical conditions which may be tied to medical complications. However, healthy men would also be included in the study. There is no limitation on ethnicity, however, economic status would be of interest to the research since quantitative analysis would also aim at relating economic status of smokers and their interest in educational programmes. However, women and children would be completely excluded, also men who don`t smoke or those with no direct contact with smokers may also be excluded completely from the study. Findings Findings acquired from the published work reveals certain trends. Abrahams (2014:4) reveals health consequences of smoking revealing that around 20 million deaths can be tied to cigarette smoking alone with diseases like colon cancer, arthiritis, myocardial infarction and many others, where the general debate only related to lung cancer ignoring other risks. In this context, a study by Parna (2013: 9) suggests that one third men in Estonia are regular smokers, as indicated by her research over twenty years i.e. data from 1990-2010. Therefore, a general consensus can be formed over the point that men are behaviorally more inclined towards cigarette smoking. In this context, a study over the impact of cigarette advertisements reveal that people are more inclined towards cigarette smoking after being exposed to content encouraging smoking, and thus similar trends can be utilized to create a negative impact of smoking on the minds of these people (Hodge & Orenstein 2013: 394). Similarly, a study by Lydie (2014) which was done via interaction with those smokers seeking help at health care centers revealed that had they known that cigarette smoking may be a recipe to acquire chronic disorders, they would have considered quitting a long time back. This clearly indicates lack of awareness regarding health related disorders associated with smoking. Another study aimed at exploring the effect of pictorial warning on cigarette packers revealed that higher exposure to such images which show the ill-effects of smoking on the covers do influence smokers to quit (Espino & Liu 2014). Therefore, these trends point towards the fact that if aggressive and targeted campaigns are enhanced to educate men with health disorders related to cigarette smoking positive results may be reaped. Recommendations Though various studies on the subject are available, yet there is an immense gap in research, especially in context to the behavioral modalities related to men. Similarly, most health campaigns explored are generally in nature and tend to ignore the most chronic health disorders which must be explicated with clarity to reap positive outcomes. Therefore, in order to enhance the range of outcomes from the study, it is crucial to generate trends from the studies conducted to explain the value of pictorial evidence and the role which the medical community can play in generating mass awareness. In this context, the involvement of the crucial stakeholders is a must. Furthermore, to make real impact, not only NGO`s and various advocacy organizations need to be encouraged, but also state policy needs to be impacted. However, there is economic attached, which may create complexities, however, right instruments must be pointed out via research to assess how men can most effectively be targeted using mass media campaigns. Bibliography: HODGE JR. J.G., COLLMER V., ORENSTEIN D.G., MILLEA C., & VAN BUREN L. (2013). Reconsidering the Legality of Cigarette Smoking Advertisements on Television Public Health and the Law. Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics. 41, 369-373. LEBRUN-HARRIS, L. A., FIORE, M. C., TOMOYASU, N., & NGO-METZGER, Q. (2014). Cigarette Smoking, Desire to Quit, and Tobacco-Related Counseling Among Patients at Adult Health Centers. American Journal of Public Health. e1-e9. MONÁRREZ-ESPINO, J., LIU, B., GREINER, F., BREMBERG, S., & GALANTI, R. (2014). Systematic Review of the Effect of Pictorial Warnings on Cigarette Packages in Smoking Behavior. American Journal of Public Health. e1-e20. PÄRNA, KERSTI, PÜRJER, MARI-LIIS, RINGMETS, INGE, & TEKKEL, MARE. (2014).Educational differences in cigarette smoking among adult population in Estonia, 1990–2010: does the trend fit the model of tobacco epidemic? BioMed Central Ltd. BioMed Central Ltd. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/14/709. UNITED STATES, & NATIONAL CENTER FOR CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION (U.S.). (2014). The health consequences of smoking--50 years of progress: a report of the Surgeon General. Read More