Community empowerment to stop smoking at selected villages in Hambantota, Sri Lanka
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Alcohol & Drug Information Centre, Social Mobilization, Sri Lanka
Publication date: 2018-03-01
Tob. Induc. Dis. 2018;16(Suppl 1):A931
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KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Background and challenges to implementation:
Tobacco smoking is the cause of many preventable diseases in the world. According
to the WHO tobacco kills up to half of its users. Sri Lanka as a middle income country, tobacco smoking is one
of the
biggest economic threats especially in rural settings. The intervention was
carried out with the intention to reduced smoking among villages. ADIC
implemented the intervention in collaboration with Women Development
Federation, Hambantota (WDF) which is the largest women organization in Sri
Lanka by mobilizing women voice against violence related drugs and women
rights.
Intervention or response:
ADIC
believe women can play major role in the field of drug prevention. ADIC
trained
50 women trainees as community mobilizes to implement
activities in village level. Initially
target villages were 50. Community
mobilizes were selected from respective villages and trained them as trainers.
Mobilizes
capacity was developed to conduct small group discussion with smokers, calculating
tobacco usage and real harm. Further we implemented door to door visits,
informal discussions with vendors. Progresses meeting at village level were
carried out by mobilizes. During the project period poster, leaflet and stickers were used to create
environment where villagers to stop smoking.
Progress discussion and necessary
technical input was giving time to time. Building up a network with government
and community organization has taken to continue the process.
Results and lessons learnt:
There were 52 users have stopped their smoking
and 102 smokers reduce their smoking during year 2016. 52 ex-daily users could
able to save LKR 2,340,000 money within 6 months period. As the impact of this
intervention, increased families happiness, build their houses, start new business,
brought vehicles and home applications. Education
of children of was increased.
Conclusions and key recommendations:
Community and households have stopped
their smoking or they have reduced their smoking ability. As a result of that
they have increased their happiness and their economy enhance.