title: Using rap music to promote adolescent health: pilot study of VoxBox.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATODs) usage among adolescents, particularly those living in lower socioeconomic communities, is a population health problem in Australia that requires innovative health promotion strategies. There is a growing recognition of the potential of arts-based approaches to engage youth in health promoting activities. This paper presents the process evaluation of the pilot VoxBox intervention that used rap to build adolescents' awareness of risks associated with ATODs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The VoxBox intervention was piloted in Logan, Queensland, at five high schools with 18 adolescents completing the intervention. Data collection methods included observation, focus groups, semi-structured interviews and a survey of adolescent participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention was well received by participants and stakeholders. Three factors characterising the project's successful engagement of adolescents were: participate - go with the flow, learning from the real deal and resourced to make some noise.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In VoxBox, the emphasis on engaging adolescents in an activity of real interest that was appropriately resourced and delivered was central to credibility and success. SO WHAT?: The findings highlight the importance of interventions matching the interests of the targeted population group.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Gold Coast campus, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, Qld 4222, Australia.
authors.forename: Ernesta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paukste
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Gold Coast campus, Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, Qld 4222, Australia.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009146:Music; D011793:Queensland