Situational Analysis and Planning of a Community-Based Multicomponent Intervention to Prevent Adolescent Alcohol Use: The Prev.Action Study

Abstract

Alcohol consumption among adolescents is a critical public health concern, leading to numerous adverse health, social, and economic consequences, which underscores the need for effective prevention strategies. This study aimed to conduct a situational analysis and produce a knowledge synthesis in the initial phase of the Prev.Action study, a multicomponent co-produced community intervention aimed at reducing alcohol use among Brazilian adolescents. This mixed-methods study conducted a comprehensive situational analysis to assess adolescent alcohol use in a Brazilian municipality, corresponding to Phase 1 of the Implementation Research Cycle. We employed three types of triangulation: data source, methodological, and investigator. Data were collected from five sources: a school-based survey (1,210 adolescents), focus groups (144 adolescents), semi-structured interviews with stakeholders (26 participants), a community web-based survey (516 participants), and stakeholder workshops (20 participants). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative data underwent thematic analysis, ensuring a thorough understanding of community needs and intervention barriers. Key findings revealed that 54% of middle school and 73% of high school students had experimented alcohol. In addition, 13% of students reported binge drinking in the last 30 days. The primary methods of alcohol acquisition were self-purchase (30%) or receipt from parents (40%). Priority issues identified by the community, such as easy access to alcohol, cultural acceptance, and inadequate law enforcement, were key in designing a three-arm multicomponent intervention: school-based programs, family programs, and environmental strategies. The Prev.Action study underscores the importance of community involvement and tailored strategies to reduce adolescent alcohol consumption effectively.

Keywords

alcohol and substance use child/adolescent health community intervention program planning and evaluation needs assessment situational analysis implementation science

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