Taking Care of Friends: The Implementation Evaluation of a Peer-Focused School Program Using First Aid to Reduce...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Injury Prevention

Background:

• Adolescent injury and death are significant public health concerns, often linked to risk-taking behaviors.
• Peer influence plays a crucial role in adolescent decision-making, presenting an opportunity for safety interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the implementation of the Skills for Preventing Injury in Youth (SPIY) program in a high school setting.
• To assess students' understanding of peer protective behaviors and the program's delivery effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• Focus groups were conducted with 152 students and 12 teachers involved in the SPIY program.
• Data collected included student comprehension of peer protection and program implementation metrics (adherence, dose, quality, responsiveness).

Main Results:

• Students demonstrated understanding of various peer protection strategies.
• Both students and teachers found the SPIY program engaging, interactive, and feasible for delivery.
• Peer protection messages were perceived as relevant and acceptable within a harm reduction context.

Conclusions:

• The SPIY program successfully engaged students and teachers in promoting peer protective behaviors.
• The findings support the use of peer-led interventions as a viable strategy for adolescent injury prevention.
• The program's focus on peer helping and school connectedness may contribute to reducing risk-taking behaviors.