Dpt of Social Medicine, Göteborg University

Abstract

Due to lack of effectiveness traditional preventive efforts has undergone considerable changes over the last decades. Participation has become a corner-stone in a strategy for involvement in decision-making and achieving political, social and cultural action in order to gain control over determinants of health. Although participation and empowerment has a theoretical potential the concepts lack empirical support. This is partly due to complexity and lack of clarity. Our study aims at investigating the current status of the participation concept in alcohol preventive efforts among adolescents in Sweden. Method: A questionnaire was mailed to communities and county councils in Sweden as well as to various organisations, asking for information on current activities concerning alcohol prevention with special reference to participation. We asked for protocols and evaluations of ongoing interventions in this field. These data was analysed in a semi-qualitative manner and the interventions where categorised due to the methodologies/strategies applied. Results: 46 answers fulfilled the criteria of having an analysable protocol or report. These projects could be categorised into one of four models: traditional educational models, "agreement"-type interventions, "positive role model"-type interventions and modern education type interventions. We could find no relation between the different models and the use of participation. Most of the interventions referred to participation as being an important issue but it was also evident that the definition of participation differed widely. None of the projects used the concept explicitly in the empowerment context. Summary: The concept of participation is discussed with reference to the different ways of using it in the current preventive efforts in Sweden. Some possible links to empowerment strategies within the interventions are proposed.

Keywords

Youth, Alcohol prevention, Participation

Contact

Henriksson Göran

Institution

Dpt of Social Medicine, Göteborg University

Postaddress

Vasa Hospital

City

SE-411 33 Göteborg

Country

Sweden

E-mail

goran.henriksson@mbox2.swipnet.se

Phone

+46 31 617500

Fax

+46 31 162847