SERDANG, March 14 - The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) participated in the exhibition and interactive activities which were organised in conjunction with the Drug Awareness Educational programme week (PPDa) for primary schools at Sekolah Kebangsaan Serdang.
The programme involved 150 students from standard 4, 5 and 6 of the Sekolah Kebangsaan Serdang. It was held on 21 February from 8.30am to 1pm.
The Dean of FMHS, Prof. Dr. Zamberi Sekawi, said the programme aimed to disseminate information on the dangers of using drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, vipers, inhalant and HIV / Aids.
"We are glad to be part of the programme, and our committee consists of seven lecturers, 18 support staff from various departments and three pre and postgraduate students," he said.
The committee members developed an interactive module with the objective to attract and give a better understanding to the primary school students on cigarettes and their contents, the side effects of smoking on smokers’ body systems as well as on the people around the smokers.
The Programme coordinator, Associate Professor Dr Zalinah Ahmad, worked hand-in-hand with one of the teachers of Sekolah Kebangsaan Serdang, Syazana Mat Rasul, to streamline the programme.
The brainstorming engaged in by the committee members resulted in many great ideas for the school students to venture at several informative stations. The first station displayed the flow of cigarette smoke moving in human body from the mouth to respiratory tract and lungs to blood vessels and other major organs. Then it was followed by the explanation on health effects of smoking on different parts of our bodies.
Different types of visual aids such as posters and self-made as well as commercialised models were used to facilitate the explanation.
The exhibition also emphasised on the importance of having a smoke-free culture and healthy environment for the coming generation or better known as Gen Y.
As to gauge the students’ knowledge on cigarettes and the effectiveness of the programme, two different survey forms were distributed; one before the explanation session and the other after the session.
Finally, as to ensure the noble aspirations of having a smoke-free culture would be realised, the committee had a continuity plan. They would meet students and teachers of Sekolah Kebangsaan Serdang again after six months to look into the persuasiveness of the programme to those students. - UPM
