Development and Implementation of a Curriculum Infusion Plan for Alcohol Abuse Education in a College Population

Abstract

Background

College binge drinking continues to be a pervasive issue across campuses nationwide. Though curriculum infusion (CI) has been shown to be an effective strategy to reduce students' negative consequences related to alcohol, information about the process is limited.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the content and process of CI and to identify elements necessary for successful implementation of CI to strengthen interventions.

Methods

The development of CI in this study occurred in multiple stages: recruitment of faculty, discussions about the process and how the instructor wished to use CI in their course, development of the curriculum and materials, faculty review of curriculum, expert panel review of curriculum, observation of implemented curriculum, and interviews with participating instructors (n = 4).

Results

A thematic qualitative data analysis revealed the following themes: student response to CI, courses suitable for using CI to address alcohol abuse, people involved in CI initiative, social norms, pre- and posttesting, and instructor training.

Discussion

Adequate CI training for instructors should be mandatory and include information about social norms, how to defend data, consistent messaging, and how to lead class discussion on sensitive topics without reinforcing myths.

Translation to Health Education Practice

Findings suggest ways to strengthen the CI content and process with the ultimate goal of reducing college students' negative consequences related to binge drinking.