Can you swim? An exploration of measuring real and perceived water competency
- Authors: Moran, Kevin , Stallman, Robert , Kjendlie, PerLudvik , Dahl, Dagmar , Blitvich, Jennifer , Petrass, Lauren , McElroy, G. Keith , Goya, Toshiaki , Teramoto, Keisuke , Matsui, Atsunori , Shimongata, Shuji
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education Vol. 6, no. 2 (2012), p. 122-135
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- Description: Little is known about the relationship between real and perceived water competence among youth in the context of drowning prevention or of their perceptions of their risk of drowning. This study reports the findings of an international project entitled Can You Swim? Collegiate physical education students (n = 373) were assessed in a two-part study using an initial questionnaire survey to provide self-estimates of water competency and risk perception, followed by six practical tests in the water. Correlation coefficients between perceived and real swimming (rs = 0.369) and floating (rs = 0.583) skills were significant but only moderate in strength. No significant gender differences in real or perceived water competency were found. Significantly more males than females estimated lower risk of drowning associated with a series of aquatic scenarios (p = 0.016). The implications of these findings on drowning prevention and the need for further investigation are discussed. © 2012 Human Kinetics, Inc.
- Description: 2003010691
Adapting an established measure of supervision for beach settings. Is the parent supervision attributes profile questionnaire reliable?
- Authors: Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion Vol. 18, no. 2 (2011), p. 113-117
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565900
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/565904
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- Description: The Parent Supervision Attributes Profile Questionnaire (PSAPQ), developed to measure aspects of caregiver supervision and protectiveness and previously applied within playgrounds and in the home, was modified for implementation in a beach setting. To assess the test-retest reliability of the PSAPQ beach modification (PSAPQBEACH), 20 caregivers completed the PSAPQ-BEACH twice, over a mean interval of 18 days (range 10-24). The test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the PSAPQ-BEACH scores were compared to those of the PSAPQ. All scores on the PSAPQ-BEACH were higher than the PSAPQ, providing evidence that the questionnaire remains reliable after its adaptation to beach settings. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.
The nature of caregiver supervision of young children in public pools
- Authors: Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education Vol. 6, no. 1 (2012), p. 11-23
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- Description: This study examined the level of caregiver supervision when children were engaged in active play at public pools. A six-hour unobtrusive observation period was conducted at six different indoor aquatic venues with caregivers accompanying children aged < 10 years eligible to be monitored. Child behavior, corresponding caregiver supervision, and the willingness of parents to intervene when children exhibited unsafe behaviors all were considered. Environmental factors and pool conditions were also recorded. Chi-square tests illustrated that increased supervision was associated with decreased incidents and lower risk behaviors. Supervision was significantly affected by child and caregiver age, number of children for whom caregivers were responsible, and child swimming ability. The nature of caregiver supervision in aquatic settings requires further investigation to enable the development of effective programs to address poor supervision practices. © 2012 Human Kinetics, Inc.
Preventing adolescent drowning: Understanding water safety knowledge, attitudes and swimming ability. the effect of a short water safety intervention
- Authors: Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Accident Analysis and Prevention Vol. 70, no. (September 2014), p. 188-194
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- Description: Worldwide, epidemiological data indicate that children are a high-risk group for drowning and while progress has been made in understanding toddler drownings, there is a lack of empirical evidence regarding the drowning risk and protective factors inherent for adolescents and young adults. This study used a self-report questionnaire to establish swimming and water safety knowledge and attitudes of young adults and objectively measured their actual swimming ability using formal practical testing procedures. Participants then completed a short, 12-week intervention that encompassed swimming, survival and rescue skills, along with water safety knowledge applicable to a range of aquatic environments. Knowledge, attitudes and swimming ability were then re-measured following the intervention to evaluate its effectiveness. The Wilcoxon matched pairs signed ranks test was performed to detect whether there were significant differences between knowledge, attitude and swim ability scores pre-intervention and post-intervention. A total of 135 participants completed the baseline and follow up questionnaire and all practical testing. Results indicated that these young adults had a very low level of water safety knowledge pre-intervention, although the majority had sound swimming and water safety skills and attitudes. Overall, significant improvements were evident in knowledge (p < 0.001) and swim ability (p < 0.001) post-intervention, although no changes were observed in attitudes (p = 0.079). Previous participation in formal swimming lessons and/or swimming within the school curriculum had no significant impact on water safety knowledge, skills or attitudes of these young adults, and there were few significant gender differences. While it is important to conduct further studies to confirm that these findings are consistent with a more representative sample of young adults, our findings are the first to provide empirical evidence of the value of a comprehensive aquatic education program as a drowning prevention strategy for young adults.
Swim instructor beliefs about toddler and preschool swimming and water safety education
- Authors: Blitvich, Jennifer , Moran, Kevin , Petrass, Lauren , McElroy, G. Keith , Stanley, Teresa
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education Vol. 6, no. 2 (2012), p. 110-121
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- Description: To study the teacher component of the parent-teacher-learner triad in preschool aquatics and explore compatibility of instructor messages with current drowning prevention beliefs, 133 preschool aquatics instructors were surveyed. Instructors with basic swim teacher accreditation and those with a preschool/infant instructor extension ("Extension") were compared. More Extension instructors selected "safety" as an important outcome (
- Description: 2003010690
Can you swim? Self-report and actual swimming competence among young adults in Ballarat, Australia
- Authors: Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer , McElroy, G. Keith , Harvey, Jack , Moran, Kevin
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education Vol. 6, no. 2 (2012), p. 136-148
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- Description: This paper reports the Australian findings in an international study comparing self-reported and actual swimming and aquatic skills of young adults. Physical Education and Sports Sciences students (n = 263) completed the "Can You Swim?" self-report survey and practical skills assessment, unaware that the practical tests replicated survey items. Relationships for comparisons between practical tests and their matched survey item were weak, indicating participants had inaccurate perceptions of their own swimming skills. Typically, they underestimated their competence in terms of distance and fundamental aquatic skills. Understanding of what constitutes different levels of swimming ability was poor; for example, most participants identified as average or good to excellent swimmers, but more than half of self-identified average swimmers and 20% of good to excellent swimmers estimated they could complete < 100 m of continuous swimming. The implications of study findings for drowning prevention and the need for further research are discussed. © 2012 Human Kinetics, Inc.
- Description: 2003010667
Home Swimming Pool Design to Improve Diving Safety
- Authors: Blitvich, Jennifer , McElroy, G. Keith , Blanksby, Brian
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Aquatic Research & Education Vol. 3, no. 3 (08 2009), p. 302-314
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- Description: This study sought to establish home swimming pool design guidelines to minimize risk of diving injury. Using a qualitative design, interviews with representatives of home pool companies were analyzed and common themes were determined. Pool company display centers and advertising materials were also examined. The typical in-ground fiberglass home pool was described by manufacturers as 8 m in length, with a constant gradient of 0.9 m to 1.8-2.0 m deep. Comparisons between this profile and the underwater pathways of young adults in previous studies by the authors showed that if the dives had been performed in this typical pool, impact would have occurred for some dives. Safety features such as depth markings and signage were absent from all pools. We concluded that recreational swimmers with limited diving skills are at risk of diving injury in the typical home swimming pool. Recommendations are provided of strategies that can be implemented by home pool owners to improve pool safety. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR
- Description: C1
Is that the light at the end of the tunnel, or is it an oncoming train? : An obsession with obvious workplace hazards may blind us to approaching catastrophe
- Authors: Young, Stephen , Blitvich, Jennifer , Naiker, Mani , Aldred, Peter
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Journal of Health, Safety and Environment Vol. 33, no. 1 (2017), p. 1-17
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- Description: A mixed method survey of owners of commercial breweries in Victoria and Tasmania (Australia) was conducted (n = 45). The purpose of the study was to gain an understanding of how the breweries mitigated for the hazards they identified - in particular, asphyxiation from elevated levels of CO 2 . The survey comprised a questionnaire regarding the breweries' age, staff numbers, how brewery owners assessed a 'significant' hazard, and their methods of recognition and mitigation of the CO 2 hazard. The research methodology also encouraged and recorded qualitative responses. The research intended to gain an understanding of how the breweries mitigated for the hazards they identified - in particular, asphyxiation from elevated levels of CO 2 . Contradictions between the respondents' questionnaire (quantitative) and qualitative responses were noted. A discontinuity between the respondents' awareness of potential Class I injuries and their safety processes was discussed - in particular, the distinction between high frequency and high consequence hazards. Accordingly, the paper suggests a "polar area" graph for mapping hazards in small businesses generally, to highlight rare but potentially catastrophic injuries among known industry hazards. © CCH.
Spinal Injuries: causes and prevention
- Authors: Blitvich, Jennifer
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Drowning: Prevention, Rescue, Treatment Chapter 78 p. 509-513
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- Description: Water-related spinal cord injury (SCI) makes a major contribution to the incidence of traumatic spinal cord injury. The most recent Australian figures show that swimming, diving, surfing or falling into water contributed 9 % of all traumatic SCI [1]. The same figures have been published in the USA [2]. Worldwide, diving is considered the contributing mechanism for SCI for between 2.3 % of SCI cases in South Africa and 21 % in Poland [3]. However, these figures underestimate the real incidence. Some deaths attributed to drowning occur as a result of an unidentified SCI. In almost all circumstances, diving SCI results in permanent tetraplegia [4]
Caregivers’ perceptions of environmental risk factors for child drowning in different aquatic environments
- Authors: Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Advances in Environmental Research Chapter 4 p. 97-124
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- Description: Unintentional injury is a major cause of child mortality and morbidity, with drowning a leading cause of child death. Injury prevention efforts are frequently directed towards making changes to the environment to make it safer or to modifying behaviours in hazardous settings, or a complex interaction of the two. However, not all physical environments can be modified adequately to totally remove risks, or to reduce them to a negligible level. Similarly, not all behaviours of people within those environments can be changed easily to provide the solution to reducing risk. Accordingly, it is now recognised that a multifaceted approach to injury prevention is required. For drowning incidents, particularly in environments that include natural bodies of water, environmental modifications are not always practical or all encompassing of the major risk present. Consequently, additional strategies are needed that focus more on people recognising these hazards and modifying their behaviour accordingly. To date, aquatic studies have identified a number of risk factors for child drowning. Few studies however, have investigated perceptions of the risk of drowning among those engaged in recreational swimming at beaches and/or investigated the association between risk perception and safe swimming behaviour or caregiver supervision of children in aquatic environments. Consequently, the aim of this chapter is to address this knowledge gap. Using a purpose designed questionnaire, caregivers were asked about specific environmental factors which might contribute to their perceptions of the level of child injury/drowning risk. To reflect a comprehensive approach, other non-environmental factors were also considered in the questionnaire. One-hundred and fourteen caregivers, whose supervisory behaviour had been unobtrusively observed, completed the questionnaire. Caregiver demographics; perceptions of injury/drowning risk in different aquatic settings; and factors which contributed to risk perception varied among participants. Responses indicated that drowning risk was considered extreme/high on days when waves were plunging/dumping; waves were >1m; and when strong rips/currents were present. In calmer conditions (spilling waves; ≤1m; no rips/currents), caregivers were significantly more likely to report low/no drowning risk. The majority of caregivers reported that their child was at low risk of drowning in pool environments (public and home) and at flat beaches (patrolled by lifeguards or unpatrolled); moderate risk at lake, dam or lagoon; and patrolled surf beaches; and high risk at unpatrolled surf beaches. Caregivers reported water depth; type of waves; and currents/rips as environmental factors which contributed to their perceived level of risk at the beach, whilst rocks, reefs and headlands; stingers; strong winds; and water temperature were of less importance to them when judging risk. This chapter provides new insight into caregivers’ assessment of child drowning risk in diverse aquatic environments. Increased understanding of caregivers’ risk perception, coupled with understanding of factors which contribute to this perception, may guide future development of caregiver education programs and water safety campaigns which aim to reduce child drowning risk.
Acquisition of knowledge, attitudes and behaviours that contribute to water competence: High-income countries
- Authors: Blitvich, Jennifer
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Drowning: Prevention, Rescue, Treatment Chapter 31 p. 207-213
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- Description: Water safety literature has many epidemiological studies, and for high-income countries at least, the demographics and risk factors for drowning are well established. In spite of the introduction of a multitude of measures designed to reduce drowning, a review of current literature shows that to date, evaluations of the effectiveness of water safety interventions are scarce. Worldwide, key stakeholders have implemented various intervention programmes but few have been evaluated. Those which have, typically examine recall of messages rather than changes in skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours. At the same time, it should be realised that the impact of interventions on the drowning rate is particularly difficult to measure at least in high-income countries, where drowning is a relatively rare event. Also it seems unrealistic to expect that changes to rates become apparent after a single intervention. To date, home swimming pool fencing appears to be one of the only areas where evidence is available that demonstrates a reduction in drowning figures.
A lack of aquatic rescue competency : A drowning risk factor for young adults involved in aquatic emergencies
- Authors: Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Community Health Vol. 43, no. 4 (2018), p. 688-693
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- Description: Drowning is an important public health issue with major impacts on young adults aged 15–24 years, yet little is known about the causal factors for drowning for this group. As young adults recreate with peers in unpatrolled aquatic environments, the capacity to perform effective and efficient rescues seems pivotal. This study examined perceived ability of young adults to perform a rescue; determined the level of aquatic rescue knowledge; and measured the effect of an aquatic rescue intervention. In total, 135 participants completed pre- and post-intervention surveys and rescue practical testing. Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank tests were used to assess significant differences pre- and post-intervention and Mann–Whitney tests used to compare groups. Pre-intervention, participants had a low level of rescue knowledge (Mdn = 50) and the relationship between perceived rescue ability and practical rescue testing was weak (rs = 0.33, p ≤ 0.001). Post-intervention, ability to perform a contact tow demonstrated significant improvement (z = − 9.09, p < 0.001, r = − 0.79) and rescue knowledge also improved significantly (Mdn = 100, z = − 9.42, p < 0.001, r = − 0.81). Many young adults lacked both the physical capacity and knowledge required to safely perform a rescue, a factor that may place them at increased drowning risk if they attempt an aquatic rescue. As a rescue based intervention can significantly improve competency of young adults regardless of previous experience and/or qualifications, research needs to consider how best these competencies can be promoted and/or developed with this high risk group.
Can you swim? Teaching teachers of swimming and water safety
- Authors: McElroy, G. Keith , Blitvich, Jennifer , Petrass, Lauren
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Proceedings of the XIIth International Symposium for Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming p. 553-558
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Moving forward : How best do we investigate parental supervision of children at the beach?
- Authors: Blitvich, Jennifer , Petrass, Lauren , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at 2008 Australian Water Safety Conference : Water safety - everyone's responsibility, Crowne Plaza Darling Harbour, Sydney, New South Wales : 15th-16th May 2008 p. 103-106
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- Description: Introduction/background: Previous University of Ballarat research identified that parents supervise their children with less vigilance at swimming pools than playgrounds, despite the serious consequences potentially associated with inadequate supervision at pools. The closed environment of public pools and the presence of lifeguards may be influential in lowering parental guard. The proposed research project aims to investigate parental supervision at beaches, specifically related to child injury risk and drowning prevention. The research is still in the design phase and the researchers seek input from water safety experts to assist in project development. This session will be interactive, providing ample opportunity for audience members to contribute to discussion. Methods: Following a brief outline of our research to date and current plans for further research, the presenters will invite expert comment from conference delegates regarding study design. It is anticipated that the ensuing discussion will be interesting and stimulating. Discussion: Consequent to this session and the discussion it fosters, the researchers will refine their research plans. The opportunity to receive input from the group of interested and concerned individuals who make up the Water Safety 2008 audience will enhance the proposed research, leading to an improved research project, the findings of which will help water safety stakeholders in targeting their drowning prevention programs. Conclusion: Expert opinion is a recognised process for research design development. Water Safety 2008 provides an ideal forum to enhance the proposed research through interaction with practitioners. In turn, the findings of this research will provide important information to those actively involved in the fight against drowning.
- Description: 2003007659
How do parents supervise their children at pools and playgrounds?
- Authors: Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at 2008 Australian Water Safety Conference : Water safety - everyone's responsibility, Crowne Plaza Darling Harbour, Sydney, New South Wales : 15th-16th May 2008 p. 30-33
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- Description: Methods: A six-hour observation of behaviour potentially associated with injury risk was conducted at six public pools and four playgrounds. Supervision and behaviour were quantified using an observational tool based on the Saluja et al.1 model and Morrongiello’s 2 definition of supervision. Infants to 10 year-old children engaged in play and their carers were observed. Child behaviour, corresponding parent supervision, and parental intervention were recorded. Results/Evaluation: Chi-square tests showed higher levels of supervision were associated with specific behaviours in pools and playgrounds. Factors significantly linked to level of parental supervision included child age; parent age; number of children for whom parents were responsible; and in aquatic settings, swimming ability of the child. Discussion: Level of parental supervision differs with children’s play. Despite increased dangers in aquatic environments, parents supervised less at pools than playgrounds highlighting inappropriate parental dependence on lifeguards. Conclusion: Future research examining the relationship between supervision and young children’s risk of drowning at other aquatic environments is required. Attention, proximity and continuity of supervision should be assessed. Findings will enable key water safety stakeholders to further highlight this phenomenon in drowning prevention programs.
- Description: 2003007681
Waterslide exit velocities, user behaviours & injury prevention
- Authors: Blitvich, Jennifer , McElroy, G. Keith
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at 2003 Water Safety Conference, Sydney : 22nd September, 2003 p. 122-124
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- Description: E1
- Description: 2003000632
Water safety education programs in culturally and linguistically diverse seattle communities : program design and pilot evaluation
- Authors: Koon, William , Bennett, Elizabeth , Stempski, Sarah , Blitvich, Jennifer
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education Vol. 13, no. 2 (2021), p.
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- Description: Drowning is a public health concern that disproportionally affects children and minorities in Washington State. Community health educators from Seattle Children's Hospital designed a Water Safety Education and Lifejacket Giveaway Program for low-income parents of preschool-aged children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The program was interpreted into multiple languages and parents and children in attendance received free lifejackets. The mixed-methods pilot evaluation of this program found statistically significant relationships between language and self-reported parent swim skill level (English-speaker OR 4.6; 95%CI: 1.84 - 11.54); and confidence of keeping one's child safe (English-speaker OR 3.34; 95%CI: 1.10 - 10.4). Additionally, parents who self-reported that they could swim had four times the odds of feeling confident in keeping their children safe around the water (95% CI: 1.21 - 13.28). Qualitative data from follow-up interviews identified that the program boosted parent knowledge and confidence in safe water practices. Multi-lingual delivery and the role of partner preschools was critical to this program's success. Specific programmatic focus on adult parent/caregiver skills and knowledge that reduce risk around the water should be a priority for future efforts to reduce drowning. © 2021 Human Kinetics Publishers Inc.. All rights reserved.
Getting in : safe water entry competencies
- Authors: Moran, Kevin , Blitvich, Jennifer , Petrass, Lauren , McElroy, Keith
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education Vol. 13, no. 2 (2021), p.
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- Description: In high income countries, jumping and diving into water are a small but persistent cause of death and serious injury especially among male youth and young adults. Although water entries maintain a high media profile, little is known about what entry competencies and underlying water safety knowledge youth bring to this practice. Undergraduates enrolled in aquatics (N= 76) completed a survey before attempting 7 entry jumping and diving tasks. While safety attitudes and self-reported behaviours were generally good, considerable variation in practical entry competence was evident. Most completed a deep-water compact jump (87%) and PFD jump (88%) with ease. Many completed a crouch dive (57%) and standing dive (53%) into deep water with ease, but only 33% completed a standing dive from a block/bulkhead (<1m height) with ease. Ways of addressing weaknesses in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours are discussed and recommendations made to enhance the teaching of safe water entry. © 2021 Human Kinetics Publishers Inc.. All rights reserved.
“They don't think it will ever happen to them” : exploring factors affecting participation in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity among young Australian adults
- Authors: Calverley, Hannah , Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Health Promotion Journal of Australia Vol. 32, no. S2 (2021), p. 229-237
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- Description: Issue addressed: Young adults are over-represented in alcohol-related drownings in high-income countries; however, little research has investigated their behaviours and decision-making to inform prevention efforts. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 young Australian adults (aged 18-24 years). Questions, informed by previous research, inquired about behavioural practices in aquatic contexts and influences on involvement in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. Thematic and interpretative phenomenological analysis followed. Results: Two main themes: personal and contextual awareness, and the impact of other people affected perceptions and involvement in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity. Perceived control of situations and self-confidence affected how these influences impacted individuals’ involvement. Participants acknowledged some young adults likely overestimate their aquatic abilities. This awareness was not discussed in relation to their own capabilities. Conclusion: Drowning prevention efforts should inform young adults of the dangers of combining alcohol and aquatic activities, and make risks appear more immediate and applicable. Consideration should be given to measuring both perceived and actual aquatic abilities within various aquatic environments, to determine whether self-reported perceived competence is an accurate proxy measure for actual aquatic ability. The influence of alcohol should also be highlighted. Steps are required for a positive shift in Australian norms of alcohol use in aquatic settings and the social and cultural attitudes towards this. So what?: This study provides new insight into young adults’ perceptions and involvement in alcohol-influenced aquatic activity. It enhances the evidence base for drowning prevention and health promotion practitioners and should inform more focused campaigns to prevent alcohol-related drownings among young Australian adults. © 2021 Australian Health Promotion Association
A systematic review of alcohol education programs for young people : do these programs change behavior?
- Authors: Calverley, Hannah , Petrass, Lauren , Blitvich, Jennifer
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Health education research Vol. 36, no. 1 (2021), p. 87-99
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- Description: Numerous education programs have addressed young peoples' alcohol use. To date, no peer-reviewed publication has evaluated the effectiveness of such programs delivered across a range of contexts to change alcohol-related behaviors, attitudes and/or knowledge. This systematic review aimed to identify alcohol education programs addressing young people, and determine whether they changed alcohol-related behavior, knowledge and attitudes; and, ascertain components of successful programs. Studies were identified, guided by the PRISMA review process, from the earliest records until June 2020. Included studies (N = 70) comprised an alcohol education program which focused on young people (15-24 years). Forty programs reported behavior changes, and these programs were the highest quality. Others impacted attitudes and/or knowledge only (n = 12); or reported no impacts (n = 17). Recent programs were more likely than older programs to feature online delivery and report behavior changes. To enhance alcohol education, future programs should include the identified quality criteria, alongside process and long-term outcome evaluations, to better monitor effectiveness. Findings indicated some education programs have capacity to positively change alcohol-related behavior; however, outcome consistency varied even in high-quality programs. Alcohol education programs should be designed alongside health education/promotion models and best-practice recommendations, to improve the likelihood of desirable behavior-related outcomes. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
- Description: Numerous education programs have addressed young peoples' alcohol use. To date, no peer-reviewed publication has evaluated the effectiveness of such programs delivered across a range of contexts to change alcohol-related behaviors, attitudes and/or knowledge. This systematic review aimed to identify alcohol education programs addressing young people, and determine whether they changed alcohol-related behavior, knowledge and attitudes; and, ascertain components of successful programs. Studies were identified, guided by the PRISMA review process, from the earliest records until June 2020. Included studies (N = 70) comprised an alcohol education program which focused on young people (15-24 years). Forty programs reported behavior changes, and these programs were the highest quality. Others impacted attitudes and/or knowledge only (n = 12); or reported no impacts (n = 17). Recent programs were more likely than older programs to feature online delivery and report behavior changes. To enhance alcohol education, future programs should include the identified quality criteria, alongside process and long-term outcome evaluations, to better monitor effectiveness. Findings indicated some education programs have capacity to positively change alcohol-related behavior; however, outcome consistency varied even in high-quality programs. Alcohol education programs should be designed alongside health education/promotion models and best-practice recommendations, to improve the likelihood of desirable behavior-related outcomes. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.