Recorded presentation

Edward A. Smith, DrPh¹, Linda Caldwell, PhD², Lisa Wegner, MS³, Tania Vergnani, PhD³, Alan J. Flisher, PhD⁴, Cathy Matthews, PhD⁴, Elias Mpofu, PhD⁵, and Cori Luppino, MS⁵. (1) Center for Prevention Research, The Pennsylvania State University, 107 Benedict House, University Park, PA 16802, 814-863-0855, eas8@psu.edu, (2) School of Hotel Restaurant and Recreation Management, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Mateer Building, University Park, PA 16802, (3) University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa, (4) Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory 7925, RSA, CapeTown, Western Cape Province, South Africa, (5) The Pennsylvania State University, 329 Cedar Bldg, University Park, PA 16802

Three universities (Penn State University, University of Cape Town, University of the Western Cape) have collaborated since 2001 to develop and implement a NIDA-supported drug and HIV prevention program for high-risk middle school youth in South Africa. Three sequential cohorts of eighth grade students will be followed over two years to evaluate the effects of HealthWise on substance use, risky sexual behavior, and involvement in positive leisure behavior. Four schools will receive the intervention, while an additional four schools will receive the standard health curricula. The HealthWise program is aimed at integrating a school-based curriculum with resources and services available in the local environment. Based on an ecological systems theoretical approach, the curriculum addresses three major components of positive youth development: social-emotional development, reducing the risk of drug use and risky sexual behavior, and the promotion of the healthy use of leisure time. A key component of the program involves linking lessons from the school curriculum with opportunities and resources within the community. In addition, two community-based youth development officers have been hired as part of this program to facilitate connections between the school and the surrounding community. Such services include, but are not limited to, recreation opportunities, counseling services, and health clinics.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• List three strategies for linking a school-based health program with the community.
• Identify four strategic local agencies in their communities that would cooperate with a community-based health program.
• Develop a process evaluation strategy for monitoring the work of a youth development officer.

Keywords: Substance Abuse Prevention, International Public Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation