The efficacy of an e-learning prevention program for substance use among adolescents with intellectual disabilities: A pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Adolescents with Intellectual Disability (ID) are at risk for tobacco and alcohol use, yet little or no prevention programs are available for this group. 'Prepared on time' is an e-learning program based on the attitude - social influence - efficacy model originally developed for fifth and sixth grades of mainstream primary schools. The goals of this study were (1) to examine the lifetime use of tobacco and alcohol among this target group and (2) to gain a first impression of the efficacy of 'Prepared on time' among 12-16-year old students with moderate or mild ID (MMID).


METHODS
Students form three secondary special-needs schools were assigned to the experimental (e-learning) group (n=37) or the control group (n=36). Pre-intervention and follow-up data (3 weeks after completion) were gathered using semi-structured interviews inquiring about substance use among students with MMID and the behavioral determinants of attitude, subjective norm, modelling, intention, and knowledge.


RESULTS
The lifetime tobacco use and alcohol consumption rates in our sample were 25% and 59%, respectively. The e-learning program had a positive effect on the influence of modelling of classmates and friends. No significant effects were found on other behavioral determinants and knowledge.


CONCLUSIONS
A substantial proportion of adolescents with MMID in secondary special-needs schools use tobacco or alcohol. This study showed that an e-learning prevention program can be feasible for adolescents with MMID.
Aveleijn Intellectual Disability Services, Borne, The Netherlands; Nijmegen Institute for Scientists and Practitioners in Addiction, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.kiewik@aveleijn.nl.
Marion
M
Kiewik
Aveleijn Intellectual Disability Services, Borne, The Netherlands; Tactus Addiction Medicine, Enschede, The Netherlands; Nijmegen Institute for Scientists and Practitioners in Addiction, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Joanne E L
JE
VanDerNagel
Behavioral Science Institute, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Monitoring and Epidemiology Department, Trimbos Institute (Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction), Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Rutger C M E
RC
Engels
Behavioral Science Institute, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Nijmegen Institute for Scientists and Practitioners in Addiction, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Cor A
CA
DeJong
D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D004519:Education, Special; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012572:School Health Services; D012574:Schools; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000066608:Underage Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
Adolescents; Alcohol use; E-learning; Intellectual disability; Prevention; Special education schools; Tobacco use