Introduction: The EU-DAP study is a cluster randomized controlled trial of effectiveness of an innovative curriculum for the prevention of use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs, conducted in 9 centres of 7 European countries. The curriculum, based on a social skills approach, was administered during the school year 2004-2005 in 78 schools (at 7th, 8th and 9 grades), while 64 schools served as reference group. Methods: 141 schools were randomised into 3 intervention groups (basic curriculum, basic plus peer involvement and basic and basic plus parent involvement) and 1 control group (usual curriculum). A baseline survey, based on a self-completed questionnaire, was conducted in the month before the intervention starting. In order to preserve confidentiality, allowing a rigorous anonymous management of data, a 9-digit individual code was generated by students according to instructions printed on the first page of the questionnaire. The effect sizes were estimated trough a Multi Level regression model to take account of the cluster design. Results: Of the 170 randomised schools, 27 (15.8%) dropped out before the first survey. Out of 7079 students enrolled in the first survey, 3547 where included in one out of three intervention groups and 3532 in the control group. At the end of the scholar year, the intervention students the ORs for daily tobacco use, lifetime drunkenness and lifetime use of cannabis were 0.74 (0.55-0.99), 0.74 (0.60-0.92), 0.77 (0.61-0.98). Discussion: EU-Dap project is the first European evaluation of effectiveness of a comprehensive program for substance use prevention. Rigorous standardisation of procedures and materials, a special monitoring system, and a complex study design have been set up to ensure the quality of the project across 9 centres and 8 languages. It appears to reduce the use of tobacco and cannabis as well as the frequency of drunkenness, although the only results are at short term.
Effectiveness of a school program against smoking in Europe. Early results from the EU-Dap trial
VIGNA-TAGLIANTI, Federica;SILIQUINI, Roberta;
2006-01-01
Abstract
Introduction: The EU-DAP study is a cluster randomized controlled trial of effectiveness of an innovative curriculum for the prevention of use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs, conducted in 9 centres of 7 European countries. The curriculum, based on a social skills approach, was administered during the school year 2004-2005 in 78 schools (at 7th, 8th and 9 grades), while 64 schools served as reference group. Methods: 141 schools were randomised into 3 intervention groups (basic curriculum, basic plus peer involvement and basic and basic plus parent involvement) and 1 control group (usual curriculum). A baseline survey, based on a self-completed questionnaire, was conducted in the month before the intervention starting. In order to preserve confidentiality, allowing a rigorous anonymous management of data, a 9-digit individual code was generated by students according to instructions printed on the first page of the questionnaire. The effect sizes were estimated trough a Multi Level regression model to take account of the cluster design. Results: Of the 170 randomised schools, 27 (15.8%) dropped out before the first survey. Out of 7079 students enrolled in the first survey, 3547 where included in one out of three intervention groups and 3532 in the control group. At the end of the scholar year, the intervention students the ORs for daily tobacco use, lifetime drunkenness and lifetime use of cannabis were 0.74 (0.55-0.99), 0.74 (0.60-0.92), 0.77 (0.61-0.98). Discussion: EU-Dap project is the first European evaluation of effectiveness of a comprehensive program for substance use prevention. Rigorous standardisation of procedures and materials, a special monitoring system, and a complex study design have been set up to ensure the quality of the project across 9 centres and 8 languages. It appears to reduce the use of tobacco and cannabis as well as the frequency of drunkenness, although the only results are at short term.
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
