Smoking is a leading cause of human death. Many people are losing their lives annually because of smoking. Most of these people die from “smoking-related” complications and diseases. Smoking is a preventable vice especially among teenagers. According to Goldberg (2011), human beings can prevent most of the deaths caused by smoking. The number of teenage smokers is increasing today. This health behavior calls for immediate responses and solutions. I am interested in this health behavior because it continues to affect many teenagers. Statistics show that smoking kills 50 percent of all smokers. As Wilson and Kolander (2011) observe, more people will die if they continue to smoke. A programmatic intervention will be useful towards dealing with this health behavior among teenagers.
The “Precede-Proceed” model is one of the best tools towards addressing the problem. According to Goldberg (2011), “both environmental and personal factors can contribute to smoking”. The first part of this model offers a strategic approach to educate, mentor, and encourage the targeted individuals to embrace a new lifestyle. The purpose or principle of the model is to direct the group’s attention to the targeted outcome or goal (Goldberg, 2011). This model does not focus on inputs.
The outcome for this group is to quit smoking. The “educational diagnosis” stage makes it easier for educators to make positive decisions about the targeted behavioral change. The model also encourages social workers and planners to educate the targeted individuals. This will help them embrace the best behaviors in life. The model also encourages social workers to evaluate the situation. The educators then offer the best countermeasures (Wilson & Kolander, 2011).
The next part of the model is the “ecological diagnosis” stage. The implementation phase will be critical towards the success of the program. The planners will examine the existing “protocols” in order to make the program feasible (Sharma & Romas, 2011). The educators should analyze the effectiveness of the program during the evaluation stage. Throughout this period, the educators should consider the best initiatives to inform every teenager about the new program and the targeted outcomes.
The model helps the educators to evaluate the outcomes. The individuals will find it easier to measure the attained change. This program will be a success if the number of teenage smokers will reduce significantly. As well, the relevant professionals and caregivers will examine whether the program has improved the quality of people’s life and health (Wilson & Kolander, 2011). The eight phases of this model are critical because they present the best strategies for programmatic intervention.
The model would be of use because it encourages “participation”. Educators can use the model to create the best health promotions and interventions. The model will be successful because it treats smoking among teenagers as a “voluntary behavior”. The program will be critical towards helping most of the targeted teenagers. The program will help them to make the best decisions about their life. They will make their health conditions a priority thus promoting the welfare of their society (Sharma & Romas, 2011). The model will also encourage the teenagers to work together with their educators. This model will also educate the teenagers on the dangers of smoking. The use of these incentives will help them these teenagers make informed decisions about their goals and expectations in life. In conclusion, the Precede-Proceed Model will make it possible to have a successful programmatic intervention.
Reference List
Goldberg, R. (2011). Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Drugs and Society. New York: McGraw Hill.
Sharma, M., & Romas, J. (2011). Theoretical Foundations of Health Education and Health Promotion. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Wilson, R., & Kolander, C. (2011). Drug Abuse Prevention. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.