The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #39865

Laura J. Black, MA¹, Sherri L. Porcelain, MPH¹, and Robert C. Duncan, PhD². (1) Field Epidemiology Survey Team (F.E.S.T.), University of Miami School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016960 (R-117), Miami, FL 33101, (305) 243-4017, fest@med.miami.edu, (2) Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Miami School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016960 (D4-11), Miami, FL 33101

Purpose: Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and injury among young people in the United States. Since many of these preventable deaths are due to risky behaviors, it is necessary to develop programs, evaluate their effectiveness, and support programs that have a positive impact. The Stay Alive from Education (S.A.F.E.) program is an educational intervention that aims to increase levels of awareness among adolescents and college students of the consequences of risky driving behaviors. S.A.F.E. was initiated in Miami-Dade County, Florida in 1989, and is currently used throughout Florida and in several other states. This study was the first scientific evaluation of the S.A.F.E. program and was conducted in order to assess the short-term effectiveness of the program. Methods: A questionnaire was designed and pilot-tested with the help of a teen advisory group. The questionnaire was revised and anonymously administered to a group of male and female 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students in one Miami-Dade high school within one week before and one month after the S.A.F.E. intervention to determine whether students reported improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and behavior after participation. Results: T-test analyses found significant improvements in self-reported knowledge, attitudes, and behavior (all p < 0.001) across all students. However, further analysis found that program impact differed according to grade, gender, and race/ethnicity. Conclusions: This short-term evaluation validated the positive impact of the S.A.F.E. program. Results will be used to further explore the longer-term impacts of the program and make changes to improve program effectiveness.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Describe the methodology used to conduct a short-term impact evaluation of an educational intervention aimed at preventing injuries and deaths due to motor vehicle crashes among young people.
• 2. Discuss the impact of the Stay Alive from Education (S.A.F.E.) program on the self-reported knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of a group of high school students.

Keywords: Injury Prevention, Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Stay Alive from Education (S.A.F.E.)
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.