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HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY

SBA

TITLE: THE EFFECT OF SMOKING ON LUNG CAPACITY

CANDIDATE’S NAME: Shoba Mangru

CANDIDATE NUMBER: 090031

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 2023 – 04 – 01

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TABLE OF CONTENT

Introduction 3

Background/Overview of Issue 3

Statement of Problem 3

Research Objective 3

Methodology 3

Presentation of Data 4

Analysis and Interpretation of Data 5

Conclusion 6

Recommendations 7

Reflections 7

Appendix 7

References 12
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INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND/OVERVIEW OF ISSUE

Cigarette smoking has been a habit over many generations, although it is clearly a health hazard,
in 2020 21.7% of Guyanese men were still smoking.

Smoking damages the elasticity of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. (Banzon, n. d.)

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Does cigarette smoking drastically reduce lung capacity?

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE

To prove that cigarette smoking reduces lung capacity, thus making it difficult to breathe.

METHODOLOGY

The researcher chose to gather data using a questionnaire.

A questionnaire is a list of written questions used to obtain data from participants in a research.
Some advantages of using this method of gathering data include:

1. It is cost-effective.
2. It can cover a wide sample of participants.
3. Responses are kept uniform.
4. Participants are less pressured when answering questions, compared to being in an
interview.

The participants involved in this study were taken from the village that the researcher resides in.
They are all smokers or former smokers and between the ages of 21 and 80 years old.
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One challenge faced when gathering data for this research was individuals’ reluctance in being
involved. Participants were questioning the confidentiality of the data they provided and so had
to be reassured of such.

PRESENTATION OF DATA

Figure 1: Table showing the period of time for which participants have been smoking

RANGE (YEARS) NUMBER OF SMOKERS

1–5 2
6 – 10 2
11 -15 10
16 – 20 1
21 – 25 0
26 – 30 7
Over 30 8
Total 30

Figure 2: Bar graph showing the symptoms experienced by participants

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Chart showing symptoms experienced by partic-

ipants
35
30
Number of participants
25
20
15 30
10 18
5 12
9
0
Coughing Wheezing Shortness of breath Chest pain
Symptoms

Figure 3: Pie chart showing the types of medications used for treatment of symptoms of smoking

Chart showing medications used for

treating symptoms of smoking

Bronchodilators
31% Antibiotics

69%

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

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This study investigated the reduction of lung capacity caused by smoking. Questionnaires
distributed provided the data analysed to prove that lung capacity is reduced by smoking, leading
to difficulty in breathing.

Figure 1 shows the period of time for which participants have been smoking. The questionnaire
was designed to capture data for several ranges, which are as follows:

1–5 6.67%

6 – 10 6.67%

11 -15 33.33%

16 – 20 3.33%

21 – 25 0%

26 – 30 23.33%

Over 30 26.67%

This shows that most participants have been smoking for 11 – 15 years, followed by Over 30
years and thirdly 26 – 30 years.

Figure 2 is a bar graph which shows the symptoms experienced by the participants as a result of
smoking. Many participants experienced a combination of symptoms rather than a single one.
While all participants cough much because of smoking, only 60% of them experienced shortness
of breath, 40% have chest pains and 30% have wheezing.

For the symptoms mentioned above, some participants visited the doctor and were prescribed
medication. Figure 3 highlights this. It is a pie chart showing the medications used for treating
symptoms of smoking. 20 participants, accounting for 69% of persons who visited the doctor
received antibiotics and 9 participants, accounting for 31% received bronchodilators. Antibiotics
are important in the fight again bacterial infection, preventing the body form getting sick.
Smokers, because of the components of tobacco, produce phlegm which can encourage the
growth of bacteria in the respiratory track. The collection of phlegm in the air ways can also
increase difficulty in breathing and damage the lungs to a greater extent. (Editorial Staff, 2021)
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Additionally, bronchodilators are medications taken to make breathing easier. They stimulate the
muscles in the lungs to relax and therefore open up the airways. (NHSInform, 2023)

CONCLUSION

From this research, data pertaining to the period of time for which participants have been
smoking, symptoms they experience as a result of smoking and medications prescribed by their
doctors to treat these symptoms were obtained. Given that many participants experience
coughing and other symptoms related to the regular and prolonged use of cigarettes, it can be
concluded that smoking does reduce lung capacity, making it difficult to breathe.

RECOMMENDATIONS

After analysing the data collected, the following recommendations can be made.

1. The government should play a much more significant role in educating the citizens on the
dangers of smoking. They should put out more posters with warnings and influencing
graphics.
2. Since some individuals start smoking at an early age, the government should reinforce
laws and policies related to the purchase and use of cigarettes.
3. The government should add more taxes to the cost of cigarettes, thus raising the price and
discouraging individuals from buying and using cigarettes or at least lessening the
amount they use.

REFLECTIONS

The research has been a very insightful one. The researcher has gained more knowledge, learning
much from it. The researcher has found that many individuals who smoke tobacco are part of a
generational chain of smokers. This is especially for the males in the family. It was also realised
that even though cigarette smoking lends itself to bad odour and discolouration of lips, teeth and
fingers, individuals still do it because tobacco is quite easy to become addicted to. Because of the
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unpleasant appearance of smokers, the researcher has made a vow to never smoke cigarettes.
This will help with maintaining a healthy body.

APPENDIX

QUESTIONNAIRE

Dear Participant,

I am a student of Lower Corentyne Secondary School and I am in Grade 11. I am

conducting research as part of my Human and Social Biology SBA. This research seeks to prove

that cigarette smoking reduces lung capacity, thus making it difficult to breathe. I am kindly

requesting your participation in the completion of my research.

Please answer the questions honestly and to the best of your knowledge. The information

you provide will be kept strictly confidential.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Yours truly

_________________________

(Shoba Mangru)
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Please use a √ to mark the boxes you select.

1. What is your gender? Male Female

2. What is your age range?

21 – 30

31 – 40

41 – 50

51 – 60

61 – 70

71 – 80

3. For how long have you been smoking?

1 – 5 years 16 – 20 years Over 30 years

6 – 10 years 21 – 25 years

11 – 15 years 26 – 30 years

4. For the while that you have been smoking, which of these symptoms do you experience

often? You can choose more than one options.

Coughing Wheezing

Shortness of breath Chest pain

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5. Which of these symptoms do you visit the doctor or take medication for?

Coughing Wheezing

Shortness of breath Chest pain

6. How often do you visit the doctor?

Every month

Every 2 months

Every 4 months

Every 6 months

I do not visit the doctor

7. What tests does your doctor usually conduct?

Blood tests

X-ray

Lung function tests

Other

8. If ‘other’ is chosen for the above question, please state name of test.

______________________________________________________________________________
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9. Which of these types of medications does your doctor usually prescribe?

Bronchodilators Inhaled steroids

Antibiotics Other

10. If ‘other’ is chosen for the above question, please state the type of medication.

______________________________________________________________________________

11. What other recommendations has your doctor made?

Supplemental oxygen

Nutrition therapy

Surgery

Quitting smoking

Other

12. If ‘other’ is chosen for the above question, please state what the other recommendation is.

___________________________________________________________________________
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REFERENCES

Editorial Staff (2021). Understanding mucus in your lungs. American Lung Association.
https://www.lung.org/blog/lungs-mucus#:~:text=More%20than%20just%20an
%20unpleasant,sticky%20fluid%20in%20your%20lungs.

NHS Inform (2023). Bronchodilators.

https://www.nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/medicines-and-medical-aids/types-of-
medicine/bronchodilators#:~:text=Bronchodilators%20are%20a%20type%20of,may%20become
%20narrow%20and%20inflamed.
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CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL

CSEC - Human and Social Biology

SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT

Mark Scheme

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA PROFILE POINTS

ALLOTTED
Use of
Knowledge
(UK)

1. Background/Overview of Issue (2) 2

● Provides a clear, detailed description of a current health-related or 2 2

environmental issue

Description is detailed but lacks clarity (1mark)

2. Problem Statement (2) 2

● Research problem is stated clearly 1 1

● Research problem is in an appropriate form - an observation of question 1 1

3. Research Objective (2) 2

 Objective of the research is linked to the issue 1 1

● Objective of the research is realistic/feasible 1 1

4. Methodology (8) 6

● Sample used is identified and clearly described 2 2

● Data collection instrument is identified and clearly described 2 2

● Method of data collection is identified and clearly described 2 0

● Method of data collection is adequately justified 1 1

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1 1
● ONE limitation of data collection method clearly stated

5. Presentation of Data (5) 5

● Data is presented in an appropriate form using tables, graphs and charts 1 1

● Data is presented in at least TWO forms 2 2

● Form(s) used for presentation of data is correctly labelled 1 1

● Data presented are accurate 1 1

6. Analysis and Interpretation of Data (5) 5

● Data is analyzed using appropriate calculations/statistics/themes 1 1

● Data is summarized accurately 1 1

● At least TWO statements of findings based on data presented 2 2

● Findings are consistent with analyses 1 1

7. Conclusion (2) 2

● Conclusion succinctly summarizes the project 1 1

● Conclusion is logical and based on findings 1 1

8. Recommendations (4) 4

● At least TWO recommendations proposed 2 2

● Recommendations are realistic 1 1

● Recommendations are informed by findings 1 1

9. Reflection: Candidate states the following information: (6) 2

● Two lessons learnt after undertaking the project 2 1

● One way in which the lesson learnt could be applied to his/her personal life 1 1
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1 0
● One way in which the project could be improved
2 0

● ONE social impact and ONE economic impact the issue could have on
his/her school or community if not rectified.

10. Overall Presentation (4) 4

● Layout of report follows the correct format inclusive of cover page, table of 2 2
contents, bibliography, and appendices
If layout includes only two elements - 1 mark only

1 1
● Bibliographic information contains the names of authors, publishers and
dates of publication

1 1
● Consistent use of correct spelling and grammar

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