Short-Term Evaluation of a School-Based Adolescent Injury Prevention Program: Determining Positive Effects or Iatrogenic Outcomes

Abstract

This article reports on the development of a school-based intervention to reduce risk taking and associated injuries. There is limited but important evidence that intervention design should ensure participation does not lead to an increase in target risk behaviors with some studies in alcohol and drug prevention finding unexpected negative effects. The short-term evaluation of Skills for Preventing Injury in Youth (SPIY) examined change in interpersonal violence, alcohol use, and transport-related risks. Intervention ( n = 360) and comparison ( n = 180) students were surveyed pre- and postintervention. A qualitative analysis based on focus groups (70 students) explored experiences of change. Findings indicate significant positive changes reinforced by students’ reports. A decrease in reported risk taking for the intervention group and an increase in the comparison group were observed. These findings endorse SPIY as a useful curriculum approach to reducing injuries and lend support to the future conduct of a long-term outcome evaluation.