scholarly journals Adapting the ASSIST model of informal peer-led intervention delivery to the Talk to FRANK drug prevention programme in UK secondary schools (ASSIST + FRANK): intervention development, refinement and a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. 1-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
James White ◽  
Jemma Hawkins ◽  
Kim Madden ◽  
Aimee Grant ◽  
Vanessa Er ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Drug Prevention ◽  
Smoking Prevention ◽  
Prevention Intervention

BackgroundIllicit drug use increases the risk of poor physical and mental health. There are few effective drug prevention interventions.ObjectiveTo assess the acceptability of implementing and trialling two school-based peer-led drug prevention interventions.DesignStage 1 – adapt ASSIST, an effective peer-led smoking prevention intervention to deliver information from the UK national drug education website [see www.talktofrank.com (accessed 29 August 2017)]. Stage 2 – deliver the two interventions, ASSIST + FRANK (+FRANK) and FRANK friends, examine implementation and refine content. Stage 3 – four-arm pilot cluster randomised control trial (cRCT) of +FRANK, FRANK friends, ASSIST and usual practice, including a process evaluation and an economic assessment.SettingFourteen secondary schools (two in stage 2) in South Wales, UK.ParticipantsUK Year 8 students aged 12–13 years at baseline.Interventions+FRANK is a UK informal peer-led smoking prevention intervention provided in Year 8 followed by a drug prevention adjunct provided in Year 9. FRANK friends is a standalone informal peer-led drug prevention intervention provided in Year 9. These interventions are designed to prevent illicit drug use through training influential students to disseminate information on the risks associated with drugs and minimising harms using content from www.talktofrank.com. Training is provided off site and follow-up visits are made in school.OutcomesStage 1 – +FRANK and FRANK friends intervention manuals and resources. Stage 2 – information on the acceptability and fidelity of delivery of the interventions for refining manuals and resources. Stage 3 – (a) acceptability of the interventions according to prespecified criteria; (b) qualitative data from students, staff, parents and intervention teams on implementation and receipt of the interventions; (c) comparison of the interventions; and (d) recruitment and retention rates, completeness of primary, secondary and intermediate outcome measures and estimation of costs.Results+FRANK and FRANK friends were developed with stakeholders [young people, teachers (school management team and other roles), parents, ASSIST trainers, drug agency staff and a public health commissioner] over an 18-month period. In the stage 2 delivery of +FRANK, 12 out of the 14 peer supporters attended the in-person follow-ups but only one completed the electronic follow-ups. In the pilot cRCT, 12 schools were recruited, randomised and retained. The student response rate at the 18-month follow-up was 93% (1460/1567 students). Over 80% of peer supporters invited were trained and reported conversations on drug use and contact with trainers. +FRANK was perceived less positively than FRANK friends. The prevalence of lifetime illicit drug use was 4.1% at baseline and 11.6% at follow-up, with low numbers of missing data for all outcomes. The estimated cost per school was £1942 for +FRANK and £3041 for FRANK friends. All progression criteria were met.ConclusionsBoth interventions were acceptable to students, teachers and parents, but FRANK friends was preferred to +FRANK. A limitation of the study was that qualitative data were collected on a self-selecting sample. Future work recommendations include progression to a Phase III effectiveness trial of FRANK friends.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN14415936.FundingThis project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full inPublic Health Research; Vol. 5, No. 7. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information. The work was undertaken with the support of the Centre for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer). Joint funding (MR/KO232331/1) from the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, the Economic and Social Research Council, the Medical Research Council, the Welsh Government and the Wellcome Trust, under the auspices of the UK CRC, is gratefully acknowledged.

scholarly journals Pilot trial and process evaluation of a multilevel smoking prevention intervention in further education settings

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Fletcher ◽  
Micky Willmott ◽  
Rebecca Langford ◽  
James White ◽  
Ria Poole ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Smoking Prevention ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Process Data ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Intervention Team

Background Preventing smoking uptake among young people is a public health priority. Further education (FE) settings provide access to the majority of 16- to 18-year-olds, but few evaluations of smoking prevention interventions have been reported in this context to date. Objectives To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of implementing and trialling a new multilevel smoking prevention intervention in FE settings. Design Pilot cluster randomised controlled trial and process evaluation. Setting Six UK FE institutions. Participants FE students aged 16–18 years. Intervention ‘The Filter FE’ intervention. Staff working on Action on Smoking and Health Wales’ ‘The Filter’ youth project applied existing staff training, social media and youth work resources in three intervention settings, compared with three control sites with usual practice. The intervention aimed to prevent smoking uptake by restricting the sale of tobacco to under-18s in local shops, implementing tobacco-free campus policies, training FE staff to deliver smoke-free messages, publicising The Filter youth project’s online advice and support services, and providing educational youth work activities. Main outcome measures (1) The primary outcome assessed was the feasibility and acceptability of delivering and trialling the intervention. (2) Qualitative process data were analysed to explore student, staff and intervention team experiences of implementing and trialling the intervention. (3) Primary, secondary and intermediate (process) outcomes and economic evaluation methods were piloted. Data sources New students at participating FE settings were surveyed in September 2014 and followed up in September 2015. Qualitative process data were collected via interviews with FE college managers (n = 5) and the intervention team (n = 6); focus groups with students (n = 11) and staff (n = 5); and observations of intervention settings. Other data sources were semistructured observations of intervention delivery, intervention team records, ‘mystery shopper’ audits of local shops and college policy documents. Results The intervention was not delivered as planned at any of the three intervention settings, with no implementation of some community- and college-level components, and low fidelity of the social media component across sites. Staff training reached 28 staff and youth work activities were attended by 190 students across the three sites (< 10% of all eligible staff and students), with low levels of acceptability reported. Implementation was limited by various factors, such as uncertainty about the value of smoking prevention activities in FE colleges, intervention management weaknesses and high turnover of intervention staff. It was feasible to recruit, randomise and retain FE settings. Prevalence of weekly smoking at baseline was 20.6% and was 17.2% at follow-up, with low levels of missing data for all pilot outcomes. Limitations Only 17% of eligible students participated in baseline and follow-up surveys; the representativeness of student and staff focus groups is uncertain. Conclusions In this study, FE settings were not a supportive environment for smoking prevention activities because of their non-interventionist institutional cultures promoting personal responsibility. Weaknesses in intervention management and staff turnover also limited implementation. Managers accept randomisation but methodological work is required to improve student recruitment and retention rates if trials are to be conducted in FE settings. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN19563136. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 5, No. 8. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information. It was also funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

scholarly journals Does parental permissiveness toward cigarette smoking and alcohol use influence illicit drug use among adolescents? A longitudinal study in seven European countries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emina Mehanović ◽  
Federica Vigna-Taglianti ◽  
Fabrizio Faggiano ◽  
Maria Rosaria Galanti ◽  
Barbara Zunino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Longitudinal Data ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
European Countries ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose Adolescents’ perceptions of parental norms may influence their substance use. The relationship between parental norms toward cigarette and alcohol use, and the use of illicit substances among their adolescent children is not sufficiently investigated. The purpose of this study was to analyze this relationship, including gender differences, using longitudinal data from a large population-based study. Methods The present study analyzed longitudinal data from 3171 12- to 14-year-old students in 7 European countries allocated to the control arm of the European Drug Addiction Prevention trial. The impact of parental permissiveness toward cigarettes and alcohol use reported by the students at baseline on illicit drug use at 6-month follow-up was analyzed through multilevel logistic regression models, stratified by gender. Whether adolescents’ own use of cigarette and alcohol mediated the association between parental norms and illicit drug use was tested through mediation models. Results Parental permissive norms toward cigarette smoking and alcohol use at baseline predicted adolescents’ illicit drug use at follow-up. The association was stronger among boys than among girls and was mediated by adolescents’ own cigarette and alcohol use. Conclusion Perceived parental permissiveness toward the use of legal drugs predicted adolescents’ use of illicit drugs, especially among boys. Parents should be made aware of the importance of norm setting, and supported in conveying clear messages of disapproval of all substances.

scholarly journals An online family-based self-monitoring and goal-setting intervention to improve children’s physical activity: the FRESH feasibility trial and three-arm pilot RCT

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1-116
Author(s):  
Esther MF van Sluijs ◽  
Helen E Brown ◽  
Emma Coombes ◽  
Claire Hughes ◽  
Andrew P Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Recruitment Strategies ◽  
Family Based

Background Family-based physical activity promotion presents a promising avenue for promoting whole-family physical activity, but high-quality research is lacking. Objectives To assess the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of FRESH (Families Reporting Every Step to Health), a child-led online family-based physical activity intervention; and to identify effective and resource-efficient family recruitment strategies. Design The project consisted of (1) a randomised feasibility trial, (2) a randomised controlled pilot trial and (3) a systematic review and Delphi study. Setting Norfolk/Suffolk counties, UK. Participants Families, recruited from schools, workplaces and community settings, were eligible to participate if one child aged 7–11 years and one adult responsible for their care provided written consent; all family members could participate. Interventions The FRESH intervention, guided by self-determination theory, targeted whole families and was delivered via an online platform. All family members received pedometers and were given website access to select family step challenges to ‘travel’ to target cities around the world, log steps, and track progress as they virtually globetrotted. Families were randomised to FRESH intervention, pedometer-only or control arm. Main outcome measures Physical (e.g. blood pressure), psychosocial (e.g. family functioning) and behavioural (e.g. device-measured family physical activity) measures were collected at baseline and at 8- and 52-week follow-up. A mixed-methods process evaluation assessed the acceptability of the intervention and evaluation. Data sources review Systematic search of four databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, PsycINFO and SCOPUS). Review methods Articles were screened in duplicate, and data extraction was fully checked. Academic experts participated in the three-round Delphi study. Data were combined to identify effective and resource-efficient family recruitment strategies. Inclusion criteria Included generally healthy school-aged children and at least one adult; intervention attempted to change physical activity, sedentary behaviour, screen use, diet, or prevent overweight/obesity in multiple family members; presented relevant measure of effect in children and adults. Results The feasibility study (12 families, 32 participants; 100% retention at 8 weeks) demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of FRESH, but highlighted that adaptations were required. Of 41 families recruited in the pilot study (149 participants), 98% and 88% were retained at the 8-week and 52-week follow-up, respectively. More children in the FRESH arm self-reported doing more family physical activity, and they thought that FRESH was fun. There were no notable between-group differences in children’s outcomes. Change in moderate to vigorous physical activity at 8 weeks favoured FRESH intervention adults [vs. control: 9.4 minutes/week (95% confidence interval 0.4 to 18.4) vs. pedometer only: 15.3 (95% confidence interval 6.0 to 24.5)], and was stronger in fathers, but this was not maintained. In 49 included studies, apart from recruitment settings and strategies used (reported in 84% and 73% of the studies, respectively), recruitment details were scarce. School-based recruitment was predominant. The Delphi study identified a wide range of recruitment settings and strategies. Limitations Recruitment was the main limitation of the FRESH studies; generalisability of the proposed recruitment strategies may be limited. Conclusions This study has demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of the FRESH intervention. However, we failed to recruit the target sample size and were unable to demonstrate a signal of effectiveness. Future research should employ a multifaceted recruitment approach. Future work Further refinements to intervention delivery and recruitment methods should be investigated. Study registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN12789422 and PROSPERO CRD42019140042. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 9, No. 9. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

scholarly journals Cannabis use, subsequent other illicit drug use and drug use disorders: A 16-year follow-up study among Swedish adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 106 ◽  
pp. 106390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rynaz Rabiee ◽  
Andreas Lundin ◽  
Emilie Agardh ◽  
Yvonne Forsell ◽  
Peter Allebeck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Drug Use Disorders

scholarly journals Hepatitis C, Illicit Drug Use and Public Health

2006 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 485-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedikt Fischer ◽  
Kate Kalousek ◽  
Jürgen Rehm ◽  
Jeff Powis ◽  
Mel Krajden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use

What predicts illicit drug use and drug offending? The Finnish 'from a boy to a man' follow-up study

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. S195
Author(s):  
S. Niemela ◽  
A. Sourander ◽  
P. Wu ◽  
K. Poikolainen ◽  
H. Elonheimo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Follow Up Study

Follow-up results of Supportive versus Behavioral Therapy for illicit drug use

1996 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.H. Azrin ◽  
R. Acierno ◽  
E.S. Kogan ◽  
B. Donohue ◽  
V.A. Besalel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Illicit Drug Use

scholarly journals The Constances cohort

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Z Zins
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Neuropsychological Testing ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Industrial Companies ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Public Health Institutions

Abstract The overarching objective of CONSTANCES is to constitute a research infrastructure based on a large population-based cohort to serve as a versatile, high quality and efficient platform for population health research. Constances is designed as a representative sample of 200,000 adults aged 18-69 at inception living in different regions of France. CONSTANCES, which is accessible to the national and international research community, enables the conduct of valid and well-powered studies in a wide range of scientific domains. For each participant, it combines detailed data collection at baseline, englobing lifestyle, environmental, social, and medical history information, with medical examinations, neuropsychological testing with the added advantage of linkage with two major national administrative data bases (SNDS and CNAV). Further, CONSTANCES collects information about changing lifestyles, environments, health behaviors and health conditions on a prospective ongoing basis. A biobank of blood and urine samples is in the process of being constituted. As of April 2018, 85 nested projects designed by French and international teams in many areas of biomedical and public health research were initiated. Constances participates in several French and international consortiums. We established relationships with public health institutions and industrial companies. In the next years, we plan to continue longitudinal follow-up CONSTANCES along the same lines by extending the follow-up of the cohort and by developing innovative new themes prioritizing the strengthening of certain “niches” where CONSTANCES can have international leadership.

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