Mixed-methods evaluation of a prevention campaign on binge drinking and cannabis use addressed to young people

ABSTRACT

Objective

To assess whether the French “Amis aussi la nuit” (“Friends also at night”) campaign on peer-support concerning binge drinking and cannabis use in a party setting reached young adults aged 17–25 years, and how it was perceived by them.

Methods

A posttest evaluation of the campaign using a mixed-methods design was performed. Quantitative data from a large survey (n = 1003) and qualitative data from semi-structured interviews (n = 23) and one focus group (n = 6) were combined to explore strengths and weaknesses of the campaign. We adopted a convergent design where all data were collected simultaneously, reported jointly and, finally, cross-checked for discussion.

Results

Participants appreciated the campaign, felt involved in its preventive messages and found used communication strategy acceptable and effective. Some negative features were also identified, especially concerning the language and tone of the campaign.

Conclusions

Recommendations for improving this campaign and informing future ones on similar topics are provided based on the study results. Our findings are important for public health professionals who are interested in the prevention of high-risk behaviors in the young.

KEYWORDS:

• Young people
• binge drinking
• cannabis
• evaluation
• campaign

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the participants to the study. Special thanks to the Communication and Prevention Department of Santé Publique France and the i-Share team for supporting the implementation of the study. Thank you also to the private research and consulting firm BVA who performed the online survey.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Data availability statement

Data is available from the first author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The i-Share team is currently supported by an unrestricted grant of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Council Conseil Régional Nouvelle-Aquitaine, grant [N°4370420]. It has also received grants from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Health Agency Agence Régionale de Santé Nouvelle-Aquitaine, grant [N°6066R-8], Public Health France Santé Publique France, grant [N°19DPPP023-0], and The National Institute against cancer INCa [grant N°INCa_11502]. The funding bodies were neither involved in the study design, or in the collection, analysis, or interpretation of the data.