Dataset Information

Development of a Community-Based Network to Promote Anti-Drug Messaging and Identify Hidden Drug Abusers in Hong Kong.

ABSTRACT: Developing a community-based network by training peers as anti-drug ambassadors (ADAs) is a feasible strategy to identify hidden drug abusers. The Ask, Warn, Advise, Refer and Do-it-again (AWARD) model of smoking cessation is useful for enhancing people's confidence in making referrals to anti-drug services. This study evaluated the effectiveness of such a network by examining the change in knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of 198 ADAs aged 13-18 before and after six months of our training. A one-group pre-test and repeated post-test design was used. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was applied to assess the changes in KAP, with p-values adjusted by Bonferroni correction. The results showed that the ADAs statistically significantly improved their KAP regarding drug abuse at the six-month follow-up compared to baseline. All ADAs who knew drug abusers (n = 3) had referred them to services based on the AWARD model. A total of 154 anti-drug abuse activities were conducted, reaching 4561 people. Based on the results, we concluded that the community-based network was effective in improving the KAP of ADAs regarding drug abuse, as well as referring hidden drug abusers. Future studies should consider implementing the network on a larger scale, thus maximizing its anti-drug capacity.

SUBMITTER: Ho KY

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9517146 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Development of a Community-Based Network to Promote Anti-Drug Messaging and Identify Hidden Drug Abusers in Hong Kong.

Ho Ka Yan KY Lam Ka Wai Katherine KWK Tong Edmond Tak Fai ETF Ho Shara S Wu Cynthia Sau Ting CST Tong Man Nok MN Tang Lai Ngo LN Mak Yim Wah YW

International journal of environmental research and public health 20220914 18

Developing a community-based network by training peers as anti-drug ambassadors (ADAs) is a feasible strategy to identify hidden drug abusers. The Ask, Warn, Advise, Refer and Do-it-again (AWARD) model of smoking cessation is useful for enhancing people's confidence in making referrals to anti-drug services. This study evaluated the effectiveness of such a network by examining the change in knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of 198 ADAs aged 13-18 before and after six months of our trainin ...[more]

PMID: 36141826

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Project description:BackgroundYouth smoking continues to be a significant global public health concern. To ensure healthier lives for youths, healthcare professionals need to increase awareness among the youth of the health risks and addictive nature of smoking, strengthen their ability to resist negative peer influence and curiosity, and help those who smoked to quit. The Smoke-free Teens Programme was launched in 2012 to equip youngsters with up-to-date information about smoking and global trends in tobacco control and to encourage them to play a pioneering role in tobacco control. This paper describes the process and outcomes of this programme for youths in Hong Kong.MethodsThe Smoke-free Teens Programme contained three major components: (i) a 2-day-1-night training camp; (ii) creative activities to promote smoke-free messages in schools and the community; and (iii) an award presentation ceremony to recognize the efforts of outstanding Smoke-free Teens in establishing a smoke-free culture. All secondary school students or teenagers aged 14 to 18 years from secondary schools, youth centres and uniform groups were invited to join the programme. The outcome measures were changes in (1) knowledge about smoking hazards; (2) attitudes towards smoking, tobacco control, and smoking cessation; and (3) practices for promoting smoking cessation.ResultsA total of 856 teenagers were recruited during the study period (July 2014 to March 2017). The results showed statistically significant changes in participants' knowledge about smoking hazards, attitudes towards tobacco control, and practice for promoting smoking cessation.ConclusionsThe Smoke-free Teens Programme demonstrated effectiveness in equipping youngsters with up-to-date information about smoking and global trends in tobacco control and in encouraging them to play a pioneering role in tobacco control. The trained Smoke-free Teens not only promoted the smoke-free messages among their schoolmates, friends, and families, but also gathered community support for a smoke-free Hong Kong. The programme has been instrumental in fostering a new batch of Smoke-free Teens to advocate smoke-free culture and protect public health.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov ID NCT03291132 (retrospectively registered on September 19, 2017).

Dataset Information

Development of a Community-Based Network to Promote Anti-Drug Messaging and Identify Hidden Drug Abusers in Hong Kong.

Publications

Development of a Community-Based Network to Promote Anti-Drug Messaging and Identify Hidden Drug Abusers in Hong Kong.

Similar Datasets

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