Summative evaluation of the “Debate” programme for alcohol related problems prevention – pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: The "Debate" prevention programme is designed for 12 to 14-year-old children. Its aim is to strengthen pro-abstinence attitudes and delay alcohol initiation. It is based on the "brief preventive intervention in a group" method and lasts just over 2 hours (i.e. 3 lesson hours). It is one of the most popular prevention programmes currently delivered in Polish primary schools. Material and methods: This research was conducted with a control group and double measurement (pre-test and post-test). The questions concerned knowledge and attitudes and behaviour mainly to alcohol drinking. Results: Among the results worthy of consideration is the "Debate" programme's protective effect on the behavioural level: 12-year-old participants were more likely to refrain from drinking beer in the 30 days preceding post-test in comparison with those from control group. Likewise, the percentage of abstinent subjects was different and in favour of participants of the programme. There was an increase in knowledge about consequences of drinking alcohol among young persons between pre-test and post-test, which was more visible in the experimental group Discussion: There was no significant change in the level of drinking other (than beer) kinds of alcohol, which may be influenced by rarity of this behaviour and relatively small research sample. There were surprising changes in the intentions, attitudes towards psychoactive substance use and beliefs about prevalence of this phenomenon. These results require replication of research, probably with clearer, rephrased questions. Conclusions: Summarising, the results of this pilot study summative evaluation are promising and have value as regards the search for effectively brief, easy to implement programmes.