Health Communication in Preventing Excessive Consumption - Alcohol and Drugs - in Young People, in Schools, in Sao Tome and Principe

Background: The study stems from the analysis of young Santomean social public health situation, featured for lack of healthy lifestyles, extreme poverty and poor health education and communication policy, that can lead to excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs (A&D). Furthermore of different interventions projects of public Health Communication with the locals population of 7. Excessive consumption of A&D is an important health determinant that also contributes to the increase in social inequalities. There are several signs diffunded by TV and radio reports that it may be, in fact, a very important public health problem. The WHO Africa view that has made several warnings about this issue is believed to have been increasing, because young people follow the social patterns of older layers, both in craft production and consumption. The consumption patterns completely unknown and where the traditional alcohol consumption are particularly serious and unnown. Considering that binge drinking may result in the risk of alcohol addiction, depending on the age at which begins the binge, it will be necessary to quantify the type of consumption and burden idea and social weight of alcoholism. The high mortality attributed to alcohol consumption, associated with consumption of drugs, whose indicators are totally unknown, but with a strong impact on public health in poor countries and make necessary and urgent public appopriate health interventions.

Program background: National survey to determine the frequency and distribution of alcohol and drug consumption in young school population. Based on the survey. Identify key features associated with susceptible excessive consumption of preventive interventions. From the results 1 and 2 propose and test preventive interventions using communication methodologies in public health, particularly of edutainment.  

Evaluation Methods and Results: Statistical data analysis, collected from institutions linked to the sectors of education, health and finance. Support Services and Official Permits identified, related to the sectors of education, health and justice. Recognition of sociocultural Behavior entities connected to the socio-religious sector, have relevant social action with different audiences. National survey through the use of questionnaires in schools in all districts, within the 1st and 2nd cycles of Secondary Education, the night vocational education and literacy, the Technical education and the public Higher education.  

Conclusions: Alcohol consumption by young people is more associated with: Residents in Agua Grande Districts and Lemba; Father and Mother who habitually consume; Mother with low education - matriarchal society; Male; Age 15-18 and 19 (15/18: 39-46 and 19%:> 63%). Age between now reveals evening classes and literacy, technical are higher.  

Implications for research and/or practice: Preventive interventions are based on health communication methodologies, with the audience the National Survey population and considered excessive consumption A&D, are designed for different age groups of this population, HC strategies: preventive interventions Edutainment (education, communication and health entertainment). These interventions as well as innovative approaches involving the target populations, will follow innovative methodologies with any proper scientific evaluation, as is games in the mobiles devices used by everybody. Some preventive interventions have been tested in schools in 2013, to prevent excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs.