Citation

Gunn A, McLeod J, Chapman R, Ball H, Fitzgerald M, Howard T, Cameron P, Mitra B. Emerg. Med. Australas. 2018; 30(2): 209-213.

Affiliation

Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1742-6723.12878

PMID

29356353

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.

© 2018 Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescents; alcohol intoxication; decision-making; risk-taking; trauma prevention