Putting “Prevention” in Community-Based Participatory Research: Selecting the 4-H “Health Rocks” Program

Background: This presentation describes developing a youth substance use prevention program with a community participatory research team (CPRT). Researchers partnered with youth, parents, and community leaders (CLs) in a rural tobacco-producing community in the south during this three-year, community based participatory research (CBPR) project. Description: One project aim was to evaluate effectiveness of prevention programs with the CPRT in light of the community's ecology, culture, and context, health attitudes and behaviors, and on that basis develop a substance use preventive intervention tailored for this rural community. The CPRT used nominal group process to select six effectiveness criteria for substance use prevention, e.g., addressing psychosocial factors and designing developmentally sensitive activities, which “fit” their rural county. These criteria were used to judge effectiveness of three programs selected by the CPRT, i.e., Lifeskills, Too Good for Drugs, and Health Rocks. The 4-H Health Rocks program was chosen because it was most relevant for their county. Lessons Learned: This CBPR approach presents numerous challenges and opportunities when working with youth, parents, and CLs in a rural county including preparing and disseminating information in a format appropriate for consideration and discussion by the CPRT; sustaining interest and involvement by the CPRT; and, observing leadership emerge among youth, parents, and CLs on the CPRT. Recommendations: Through empowering the CPRT to recognize community needs and strengths, the potential for creation of a sustainable youth substance use prevention program is maximized. In addition, the potential to facilitate success in similar projects in other rural communities is enhanced.