The In:tuition life skills and alcohol education programme: results from two cluster-randomised trials

Abstract

Two cluster-randomised trials were carried out in 2013–2014, investigating the impact of In:tuition (a school-based life skills and alcohol education intervention). One involved 10–11 year olds in primary schools and the other 12–13 year olds in secondary schools. In primary schools, the outcomes measured were: resistance skills; knowledge of alcohol; decision-making skills; and understanding of social norms relating to alcohol. The secondary school trial also measured age of first alcoholic drink and frequency of drinking (among drinkers). Schools were randomly allocated to receive In:tuition or to a ‘business-as-usual’ control. A self-report student survey was administered before and after the intervention. In total, 79 primary schools and 55 secondary schools were included. ‘Intention-to-treat’ analysis was undertaken, including all students regardless of the extent of In:tuition delivery. ‘On-treatment’ analysis was also carried out, to account for differences in programme delivery. A process evaluation, involving interviews with staff and pupils in nine schools and a teacher survey, was carried out to investigate programme implementation. The primary intervention group had slightly better knowledge of alcohol than those in the control, although the results were not significant at p = 0.07. There was no evidence of impact on resistance skills, decision-making or understanding of social norms. There was no evidence of any significant impact in secondary schools. Although teachers saw some value in the individual elements of the programme, they did not always deliver it in its entirety. It was recommended that for the programme to have a positive impact in its entirety it needed fundamental revision.