Anna Gunn1, Janet McLeod1, Rebecca Chapman1,2, Hayley Ball1, Mark Fitzgerald1,2,3,4, Teresa Howard1, Peter Cameron1,2,5, Biswadev Mitra1,2,5. 1. National Trauma Research Institute, The Alfred, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 2. Emergency and Trauma Centre, The Alfred, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 3. Trauma Service, The Alfred, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 4. Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 5. Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y.) Program at The Alfred uses vivid clinical reality to build resilience and prevent injury by following a trauma patient's journey through hospital. The present study aims to analyse the effect of P.A.R.T.Y. on safety perceptions of driving after alcohol, seat belt use and risk-taking activities. METHODS: Pre-programme, immediately post-programme and 3-5 months post-programme surveys with questions focused on the programme aims were distributed to all consented participants. RESULTS: There were 2502 participants during the study period and 1315 (53%) responses were received. The mean age was 16.2 (SD 0.8) years, 724 (56%) were women and 892 (68%) possessed a learner's permit for driving. Pre-programme, 1130 (86%) participants reported 'definitely not' likely to drive after drinking alcohol, that improved to 1231 (94%) immediately post-programme and 1215 (93%) at 3-5 months post-programme (P < 0.01). Designating a safe driver after drinking was reported by 1275 (97%) pre-programme, 1295 (98%) immediately post-programme and 1286 (98.2%) 3-5 months post-programme (P = 0.02). The perception of sustaining 'definite' injury after a motor vehicle crash without a seat belt increased from 780 (60%) pre-programme to 1051 (80%) immediately post-programme and 886 (69%) 3-5 months post-programme (P < 0.01). The possibility of sustaining 'definite' injury after risk-taking activities was reported by 158 (12%) pre-programme, 467 (36%) post-programme and 306 (23%) 3-5 months post-programme (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The P.A.R.T.Y. Program at The Alfred engaged substantial numbers of youths and achieved significant improvements among key outcome measures. Objectives were sustained at 3-5 months post-programme, but demonstrated decay, highlighting the importance of continual reinforcement.
OBJECTIVE: The Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y.) Program at The Alfred uses vivid clinical reality to build resilience and prevent injury by following a traumapatient's journey through hospital. The present study aims to analyse the effect of P.A.R.T.Y. on safety perceptions of driving after alcohol, seat belt use and risk-taking activities. METHODS: Pre-programme, immediately post-programme and 3-5 months post-programme surveys with questions focused on the programme aims were distributed to all consented participants. RESULTS: There were 2502 participants during the study period and 1315 (53%) responses were received. The mean age was 16.2 (SD 0.8) years, 724 (56%) were women and 892 (68%) possessed a learner's permit for driving. Pre-programme, 1130 (86%) participants reported 'definitely not' likely to drive after drinking alcohol, that improved to 1231 (94%) immediately post-programme and 1215 (93%) at 3-5 months post-programme (P < 0.01). Designating a safe driver after drinking was reported by 1275 (97%) pre-programme, 1295 (98%) immediately post-programme and 1286 (98.2%) 3-5 months post-programme (P = 0.02). The perception of sustaining 'definite' injury after a motor vehicle crash without a seat belt increased from 780 (60%) pre-programme to 1051 (80%) immediately post-programme and 886 (69%) 3-5 months post-programme (P < 0.01). The possibility of sustaining 'definite' injury after risk-taking activities was reported by 158 (12%) pre-programme, 467 (36%) post-programme and 306 (23%) 3-5 months post-programme (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The P.A.R.T.Y. Program at The Alfred engaged substantial numbers of youths and achieved significant improvements among key outcome measures. Objectives were sustained at 3-5 months post-programme, but demonstrated decay, highlighting the importance of continual reinforcement.