The influence of institutional characteristics on implementing school-based universal addiction prevention: a Hungarian mixed-methods nationwide study on the state of implementation, barriers, and facilitators

BackgroundIn Hungary, as in other European countries, substance and behavioral addictions are an increasing problem among children and adolescents. Schools play a vital role in providing the knowledge and skills needed to prevent addictions. However, various factors influence the overall effectivene...

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Main Authors: Dorottya Árva, Zoltán Vokó, Mária Sápi, Zsuzsa Cselkó, Zsuzsa Rákosy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2023.1240909/full
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author Dorottya Árva
Dorottya Árva
Zoltán Vokó
Zoltán Vokó
Mária Sápi
Mária Sápi
Zsuzsa Cselkó
Zsuzsa Rákosy
Zsuzsa Rákosy
Zsuzsa Rákosy
author_facet Dorottya Árva
Dorottya Árva
Zoltán Vokó
Zoltán Vokó
Mária Sápi
Mária Sápi
Zsuzsa Cselkó
Zsuzsa Rákosy
Zsuzsa Rákosy
Zsuzsa Rákosy
author_sort Dorottya Árva
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundIn Hungary, as in other European countries, substance and behavioral addictions are an increasing problem among children and adolescents. Schools play a vital role in providing the knowledge and skills needed to prevent addictions. However, various factors influence the overall effectiveness of such efforts. To design more effective preventive interventions, it is necessary to evaluate existing programs and identify possible points to intervene. Our aim was to assess the current state of addiction prevention in Hungarian schools, identify barriers, and explore facilitators that contribute to the successful implementation of addiction prevention.MethodsA nationwide cross-sectional survey-based quantitative study was performed to investigate the implementation of addiction prevention in Hungarian elementary schools (N = 2,892). With the participation of 37 teachers from 21 elementary schools, a focus group-based qualitative study was conducted to investigate teachers’ perspectives on such programs and ways to improve them.ResultsAmong the addiction topics, alcohol (61.9%), smoking (73.6%), and drug use (71.3%) were the most covered themes. Problematic use of the internet and electronic devices was addressed in 60.9% of the schools, while gaming and gambling were addressed in only 18.9%. Of schools, 55.1% reported having regular programs to support pupils’ mental health, and this differed significantly by school type and size. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the type of school, the support for teachers’ work, and the diversity of implementers were significantly associated with the quality of implementation of addiction prevention. The qualitative study showed that addiction prevention is hindered by inappropriate family or teacher models, increased workloads, and challenges in collaborating with colleagues and parents. According to the teachers, they can do the most for the health of children at school, but they need support for effective implementation.ConclusionOur results indicate the importance of school characteristics in addiction prevention implementation and call for the support and empowerment of teachers and greater organizational capacity to ensure the effectiveness of school-based addiction prevention activities. By understanding these barriers and facilitators, policymakers and educators can develop evidence-based strategies to improve the effectiveness of prevention programs.
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spelling doaj.art-d364f4a41a474ea89268c0ae5bc9038b2024-01-09T04:37:03ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Education2504-284X2024-01-01810.3389/feduc.2023.12409091240909The influence of institutional characteristics on implementing school-based universal addiction prevention: a Hungarian mixed-methods nationwide study on the state of implementation, barriers, and facilitatorsDorottya Árva0Dorottya Árva1Zoltán Vokó2Zoltán Vokó3Mária Sápi4Mária Sápi5Zsuzsa Cselkó6Zsuzsa Rákosy7Zsuzsa Rákosy8Zsuzsa Rákosy9Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, HungaryMTA-PTE Innovative Health Pedagogy Research Group, University of Pécs, Pécs, HungaryCenter for Health Technology Assessment, Semmelweis University, Budapest, HungarySyreon Research Institute, Budapest, HungaryMTA-PTE Innovative Health Pedagogy Research Group, University of Pécs, Pécs, HungaryFaculty of Pedagogy, Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary, Budapest, HungaryNational Korányi Institute of Pulmonology, Budapest, HungaryMTA-PTE Innovative Health Pedagogy Research Group, University of Pécs, Pécs, HungaryBethesda Children’s Hospital, Budapest, HungaryDepartment of Public Health Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, HungaryBackgroundIn Hungary, as in other European countries, substance and behavioral addictions are an increasing problem among children and adolescents. Schools play a vital role in providing the knowledge and skills needed to prevent addictions. However, various factors influence the overall effectiveness of such efforts. To design more effective preventive interventions, it is necessary to evaluate existing programs and identify possible points to intervene. Our aim was to assess the current state of addiction prevention in Hungarian schools, identify barriers, and explore facilitators that contribute to the successful implementation of addiction prevention.MethodsA nationwide cross-sectional survey-based quantitative study was performed to investigate the implementation of addiction prevention in Hungarian elementary schools (N = 2,892). With the participation of 37 teachers from 21 elementary schools, a focus group-based qualitative study was conducted to investigate teachers’ perspectives on such programs and ways to improve them.ResultsAmong the addiction topics, alcohol (61.9%), smoking (73.6%), and drug use (71.3%) were the most covered themes. Problematic use of the internet and electronic devices was addressed in 60.9% of the schools, while gaming and gambling were addressed in only 18.9%. Of schools, 55.1% reported having regular programs to support pupils’ mental health, and this differed significantly by school type and size. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the type of school, the support for teachers’ work, and the diversity of implementers were significantly associated with the quality of implementation of addiction prevention. The qualitative study showed that addiction prevention is hindered by inappropriate family or teacher models, increased workloads, and challenges in collaborating with colleagues and parents. According to the teachers, they can do the most for the health of children at school, but they need support for effective implementation.ConclusionOur results indicate the importance of school characteristics in addiction prevention implementation and call for the support and empowerment of teachers and greater organizational capacity to ensure the effectiveness of school-based addiction prevention activities. By understanding these barriers and facilitators, policymakers and educators can develop evidence-based strategies to improve the effectiveness of prevention programs.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2023.1240909/fulluniversal addiction preventionmental healthschool-based health promotionimplementationteacherspolicy
spellingShingle Dorottya Árva
Dorottya Árva
Zoltán Vokó
Zoltán Vokó
Mária Sápi
Mária Sápi
Zsuzsa Cselkó
Zsuzsa Rákosy
Zsuzsa Rákosy
Zsuzsa Rákosy
The influence of institutional characteristics on implementing school-based universal addiction prevention: a Hungarian mixed-methods nationwide study on the state of implementation, barriers, and facilitators
Frontiers in Education
universal addiction prevention
mental health
school-based health promotion
implementation
teachers
policy
title The influence of institutional characteristics on implementing school-based universal addiction prevention: a Hungarian mixed-methods nationwide study on the state of implementation, barriers, and facilitators
title_full The influence of institutional characteristics on implementing school-based universal addiction prevention: a Hungarian mixed-methods nationwide study on the state of implementation, barriers, and facilitators
title_fullStr The influence of institutional characteristics on implementing school-based universal addiction prevention: a Hungarian mixed-methods nationwide study on the state of implementation, barriers, and facilitators
title_full_unstemmed The influence of institutional characteristics on implementing school-based universal addiction prevention: a Hungarian mixed-methods nationwide study on the state of implementation, barriers, and facilitators
title_short The influence of institutional characteristics on implementing school-based universal addiction prevention: a Hungarian mixed-methods nationwide study on the state of implementation, barriers, and facilitators
title_sort influence of institutional characteristics on implementing school based universal addiction prevention a hungarian mixed methods nationwide study on the state of implementation barriers and facilitators
topic universal addiction prevention
mental health
school-based health promotion
implementation
teachers
policy
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2023.1240909/full
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