Alcohol Misuse Prevention Campaign for Parents of 3-7 Years Old Children in Kerman Province, Iran

Authors
1 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
2 “HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center” and “WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health”, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
3 Neuroscience Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Abstract
Aims: Childhood is considered the most appropriate stage for behavioral interventions, as children have not yet established stable behavioral patterns. Implementing educational interventions at this age can instill healthy behaviors and prevent risky behaviors in adulthood. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to implement a campaign to prevent alcohol misuse among parents of children aged 3-7 years in Kerman Province, Iran.

Instrument & Methods: This study was conducted with 500 participants in the pre-test and 497 in the post-test between November 2023 and January 2024 in Kerman. Sampling was conducted randomly. An educational package was uploaded for 10 days on the domestic messaging platform Eitaa. Data were collected before and after the campaign using a researcher-designed questionnaire on knowledge and attitudes. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software.

Findings: Most parents were in the 29-59-year age group. After the campaign, the mean knowledge score regarding alcohol misuse in children improved significantly (p<0.001), whereas the attitude score did not.

Conclusion: The intervention increases parental knowledge about alcohol and substance misuse, but doesn’t change their attitudes.

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