Peer education: a strategy for improving health education in disadvantaged areas in Belfast

The paper reports on the initial phase of an evaluation of a multi-agency project designed to deliver social and health education to 16-18-year-old trainees attending four community workshops in North and West Belfast. A survey of the first year of the project was carried out using quantitative and qualitative methodologies which included a questionnaire survey of those trainees attending the programme and structured interviews with a representative sample of trainees. The first stage of the research involved a baseline measure (time 0) which provided valuable insights into the behaviours, attitudes and values of the trainees regarding a range of health issues, including smoking and alcohol behaviours, and substance abuse. Some changes in behaviour, during the first year of the project, were noted, such as reported reductions in substance abuse and increased awareness of sources of advice relating to health issues.