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Efficiency of an Evidence-Based Intervention to Promote and Reinforce Tobacco Abstinence Among Elementary Schoolchildren in a School Transition Period:

This study reports the evaluation of an intervention designedto reinforcetobacco abstinence amongelementary schoolchildren in a school transition period. This intervention was developed according to the principles of Intervention Mapping. A total of 765 grade 5 students (ages 10-12) was recruited in 32 elementary schools. A quasi-experimental longitudinal design was used to evaluate the outcomes. Results observed 2 and 8 months postintervention are reported here. It is shown that although the behavior remained largely unchanged by the intervention, some of its determinants were modified. Behavioral intention, behavioral and normative beliefs, perceived self-efficacy, and role beliefs were changed at one or both postintervention measures. An interesting feature of these results relates to the fact that the most positive outcomes were seen among at-risk children. Discussion considers the advisability to develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based interventions targeting the psychosocial factors underlying maintenance of tobacco smoking abstinence in elementary school.

Seeing is believing: an educational outreach activity on disinfection practices.

BackgroundSkin and soft-tissue infections are very common among persons who inject drugs. They occur when microbes pass under the protective layer of the skin and proliferate. This happens when harm reduction recommendations such as skin aseptia before injection and sterile injection equipment usage are not properly followed.MethodsA group of active drug users involved in a health promotion project as peer educators were asked about their formation needs. To address their inquiries concerning skin and soft-tissue infections, we devised with them a series of workshops touching upon common infections, the microflora, and microbial transmission.ResultsParticipants learned to identify common infections and how to properly react in case of an abscess, cellulitis or phlebitis. They saw microscopic objects, found out about the high prevalence of microbes in their environment and on their skin, and could appreciate the efficiency of different washing and disinfection techniques. They visualized how easily microbes can spread from person to person and from contaminated objects to persons.ConclusionIn the weeks following this activity, some participants demonstrated and reported healthy behavioural changes regarding their own injection practices. Furthermore, they shared their newfound knowledge and began enforcing its application among people they inject drugs with. Most participants greatly appreciated this activity and valued it as being highly efficient and tangible. Note: A French version of this paper is available on the Journals web site [see Additional file 1].

Effect of an intervention mapping approach to promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables among young adults in junior college: A quasi-experimental study

Objective: This study evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention mapping developed to promote fruit and vegetable consumption. Design: Students (n = 394) from two similar public colleges in the Quebec City area (Canada) were asked to participate. A quasi-experimental design was used with a 14-week pause between the pretest and posttest. The control and experimental groups both received information on Canada’s Food Guide recommendations. The experimental group was submitted to an intervention consisting of six interactive workshops carried out inside the college, and three personal exercises to be completed at home. Main outcome: proportion of respondents consuming at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Secondary outcomes: psychosocial variables assessed (theory of planned behaviour). Results: The data collected from 344 participants by means of a self-administered questionnaire were analysed (167 experimental and 177 control). The posttest revealed a significant increase (15%) in the number of participants in the experimental group achieving the primary outcome (d = .38). The intervention also had a significant effect on the targeted psychosocial variables (η2 = .03 to .06). Regularity of consumption acts as a mediator between intention and behaviour. Conclusion: These results may be used to guide health promoters working with college students.

Promouvoir la consommation de légumes et de fruits chez des collégiens : application du protocole d’intervention mapping

Résumé: L’objectif de cet article est de présenter le processus suivi lors du développement, de la mise en œuvre et de l’évaluation d’un programme de promotion de la consommation de légumes et de fruits destiné à des collégiens. Un total de 385 collégiens québécois du Canada âgés de 18 ans en moyenne ont accepté volontairement de participer à cette étude. Le modèle de planification en six étapes de Bartholomew et collaborateurs (2006) a été utilisé. Basée sur la théorie du comportement planifié (Ajzen,1991), l’évaluation des besoins a été effectuée avec un questionnaire auto-administré développé à partir d’une revue de la littérature et de groupes de discussion focalisée auprès de collégiens. Cette première étape a permis d’identifier les déterminants psychosociaux sur lesquels intervenir spécifiquement. Les résultats consistent en un programme d’une durée de quatre heures et demie, qui a été offert à 167 collégiens (groupe expérimental). Adaptées à cette clientèle, et sur des bases théoriques, les activités incluaient l’utilisation d’outils d’auto-évaluation de la consommation quotidienne de légumes et de fruits, le calcul de portions avec une nutritionniste, un quiz sur le web, la rédaction d’un plan pour implanter ses intentions, les démonstrations culinaires de recettes d’un pair avec dégustations et tests de goût. Le programme s’est avéré efficace pour augmenter l’intention comportementale ainsi que le nombre de participants à consommer au moins cinq portions de légumes et de fruits chaque jour, à la fin du programme. Ce protocole permet de structurer une intervention sur mesure visant un changement comportemental chez une clientèle ciblée. Le développement d’un partenariat milieu/université accroît les chances de succès, tant pour l’implantation du programme que pour son efficacité.This article aims to present the development, implementation and evaluation process of a programme to promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables in high-school students. A total of 385 high-school students from Quebec, Canada, with an average age of 18 years, volunteered to take part in this study. Bartholomew’s six step planning model was used. Based on Ajzen’s planned behaviour theory, a needs assessment was carried out through a self-administered questionnaire, developed based on a literature review and high-school student focus groups. This first stage enabled the identification of specific psycho-social determinants which informed the intervention. The resulting intervention consisted in a 4.5 hour programme which was offered to 167 high-school students (experimental group). Adapted to this target group, and based on theory, activities included the use of self-evaluation tools on the consumption of fruits and vegetables, portion calculations with a nutritionist, a web survey/quiz, the drafting of a plan to set out objectives, peer culinary recipe demonstrations with tasting, and taste testing. The intervention turned out to be effective at increasing behavioural objectives as well as the number of participants consuming at least five portions of fruits and vegetables a day by the end of the programme. This protocol enables the structuring of a tailored intervention aiming at behavioural change in a target group. The development of a setting/university partnership increases chances of success both in terms of implementation of a programme and its effectiveness. (Global Health Promotion, 2012; 19(4): 65–76)