An intervention for preventing alcohol use among inner-city middle school students.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effectiveness of a brief, school-based intervention for preventing alcohol use.


METHODS
Randomized, control trial assigning inner-city public school students to an intervention program or a comparison program.


METHODS
Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students in Jacksonville, Fla (N=104).


METHODS
Students assigned to the intervention program were given a self-instructional module and corresponding audiotape, a health consultation with a physician or nurse, and a follow-up consultation with a trained peer health model.


METHODS
Alcohol consumption during the month after the intervention and students' assessments of the interventions were measured.


RESULTS
Students' t tests showed participants were more satisfied with physician or nurse consultations than with peer consultations or the self-instructional module and audiotapes (P=.05). Analysis of covariance tests showed significant main effects for 30-day quantity of alcohol use (F=5.15, P=.02), with intervention students reporting less alcohol consumption at follow-up than comparison students, and for 30-day frequency of alcohol use (F=5.92,P=.01) with intervention students again showing less frequent use at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
A multicomponent, school-based intervention using print and audiotape media, brief physician or nurse consultations, and follow-up peer contacts holds promise in altering short-term alcohol use and selected behavioral factors among inner-city youth.
Werch
C E
CE
Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Health Promotion, College of Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, USA.
Anzalone
D M
DM
Brokiewicz
L M
LM
Felker
J
J
Carlson
J M
JM
Castellon-Vogel
E A
EA
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013334:Students; D014505:Urban Population