From Model to Case: Implementation, Follow-Up, and Evaluation of a Permanent School Prevention Program Articles uri icon

authors

  • Millé, C.
  • Juárez, A.
  • JIMENEZ MACIAS, ALBERTO ALEJANDRO

publication date

  • January 2020

start page

  • 443

end page

  • 458

issue

  • 2

volume

  • 18

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1557-1874

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1557-1882

abstract

  • This article describes the prevention model Creciendo Juntos [Growing up Together], its theoretical framework, characteristics and methodological approach, and the population groups in which it has been implemented and results obtained. It thenfocuses on the implementation, beginning in 2013, of a school prevention programbased upon this model that covered a whole school community. After 4 years, theprocess, results, and impact were evaluated, and the data are presented here. Processevaluation was developed through observations of the development of the programon the premises and in school groups. Interviews of school authorities, teachers, andfacilitators were also conducted. The impact evaluation was conducted by means ofa trend study, developed using two samples. In the 2014 baseline, randomly selectedstudents participated as the experimentalgroup. The data obtained in a Mexico Citysurvey were considered part of the control group. In 2017, a second application wasperformed, which used the validated data from epidemiological research on studentsin the same geographical area as the control group. The process evaluation showed that the program guidelines had been incorporated as part of the school identity, and the guidelines provided were followed. The impact evaluation evidenced favorablemodification of drug use: a decrease of more than 30% in tobacco use in the past year and problems associated with alcohol use in all age groups, and a decrease of 25% in marijuana use in the past year. The evaluation process developed supports the implementation of the Creciendo Juntos model and underlines the importance ofits flexibility and the possibility for adaptation of guidelines and procedures to thespecific situation of each community.

keywords

  • prevention model; prevention programs; students' substance use; school preventive interventions; process; results and impact evaluations