226536 Mixed methods evaluation of a community substance abuse prevention coalition in an inner ring suburb

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 12:45 PM - 1:00 PM

Scott Frank, MD, MS , Case Western Reserve University, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Master of Public Health Program, Cleveland, OH
Kristina Knight, MPH , Master of Public Health Program, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Erik Johnson , Shaker Heights Health Department, Shaker Prevention Coalition, Shaker Heights, OH
Avril Sargeant , Shaker Heights Health Department, Shaker Prevention Coalition, Shaker Heights, OH
     
Objective: Describe a comprehensive evaluation of a community coalition utilizing a youth development, social inclusion approach to substance abuse prevention. Background: Community coalitions represent a key component of a national strategy for substance abuse prevention. Social inclusion strategies are effective at addressing both social justice and improved health outcomes. Strategies include high school peer health educators conducting evidence based health promotion and social inclusion programming among 6th grade students; social transition from school to school; policy evaluation and change; a community-wide social inclusion campaign; and a social networking/neighborhood watch approach to parental involvement. Methods: Includes a qualitative analysis of coalition activities and community needs; a quantitative assessment of peer health educator effectiveness; process evaluation of program reach; and yearly school-wide surveillance of teen risk behaviors and attitudes. Results: Qualitative analysis investigates community assets and barriers; community concern regarding adolescent substance use; community perception of normative adolescent substance use; and community perception of parental attitudes. Quantitative assessment demonstrates significant change in knowledge and attitudes among 6th grade students receiving peer education. Evaluation of social transition sessions shows a high satisfaction with the use of local data in presentations. Adolescent surveillance demonstrates significant changes in perception of harm, perception of parental disapproval of substance use; adolescent attitudes; and adolescent substance use behavior. Process evaluation demonstrates a high satisfaction and community reach of social inclusion and outreach programs within our community, region, state and nation. Conclusion: A multilevel substance abuse social inclusion program can be successfully implemented in a diverse inner ring suburb.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Communication and informatics
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe the multi-level components of and effective social inclusion substance abuse prevention program. Identify levels of evidence for effectiveness of community coalitions Discuss the role of health policy in community substance abuse prevention

Keywords: Community Collaboration, Substance Abuse Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I am a family physician, director of a local health department, director of a MPH program, director of a substance abuse prevention coalition, and involved in adolescent health research and practice.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4172.0: Linking Social Injustice and High Risk Behaviors