Youths perceive some improvement in substance abuse prevention knowledge, skills, and assets from participation in 4-H health rocks!

Abstract

The 4-H Health Rocks! curriculum aims to reduce use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs and promote healthful lifestyle choices among 8- to 14-year-old youths. A retrospective "post-then-pre" survey of Tennessee participants was aimed at describing the demographic characteristics of participants and investigating respondents' perceptions of program outcomes. Although positive, significant results in youths' perceived knowledge, skills, and assets were found, the majority of youths reported no change from before program participation to after program participation. Recommendations include addressing the need for additional research that aligns respondents' perceptions with program delivery settings and the need to explore different evaluation approaches.