Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Oct 2, 2018
Open Peer Review Period: Oct 6, 2018 - Dec 1, 2018
Date Accepted: May 29, 2019
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Web-based prescription opioid abuse prevention for adolescents: Program development and formative evaluation
ABSTRACT
Background:
Background:
The unprecedented number of youth engaged in nonmedical use of prescription opioids (PO), as well as the myriad negative consequences of such misuse emphasize the importance of prevention efforts targeting this public health crisis. Although there are several science-based, interactive, drug-abuse prevention programs focused on preventing use of non-prescription drugs in youth, to our knowledge, there are no science-based, interactive programs focused on the prevention of prescription opioid abuse among adolescents.
Objective:
Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop and conduct a formative evaluation of a science-based, interactive web-based program focused on the prevention of prescription opioid abuse among adolescents aged 12-17 (Pop4Teens.c4tbh.org). This work was conducted to prepare for a randomized, controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of Pop4Teens compared to an active control website, JustThinkTwice.com (Drug Enforcement Administration) in impacting knowledge and attitudes about prescription opioids, perceptions of risk associated with abuse of prescription opioids, as well as intentions to use and actual use of prescription opioids.
Methods:
Methods:
We conducted six focus groups with 30 youth (M = 5/group: 12-19 years of age eligible) along a continuum of exposure to POs (in treatment for opioid use disorder, in general treatment for other substance use disorder, prescribed an opioid, and opioid naïve), and writing sessions with 30 youth in treatment for opioid use disorder (12-19) to inform the development of the web-based prevention tool. Feasibility and acceptability of a prototype of the web-based intervention were then assessed through individual feedback sessions with 57 youth (drawn from same populations as focus groups).
Results:
Results:
We successfully completed the development of a web-based prescription opioid abuse prevention program (Pop4Teens). Analyses of focus group transcripts informed the development of the program (e.g., quiz content/format, script writing, story editing). Selected writing session narratives anchored the planned scientific content by lending credibility, as well as informing the development of compelling storylines intended to motivate youth to engage with the program. Feedback session data indicate that the web-based tool could be potentially useful and acceptable. Also, feedback session participants demonstrated significant increases in their knowledge of key topics related to the prevention of prescription opioid abuse after exposure to sections of the web-based program.
Conclusions:
Conclusions:
The opioid crisis is predicted to get worse before it gets better. An effective response will likely require a multi-pronged strategy inclusive of effective evidence-based prevention programs acceptable to, and accessible by, a majority of youth. Clinical Trial: NA
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Copyright
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