Evaluation of an alcohol risk reduction program (PRIME for Life) in young Swedish military conscripts

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of the PRIME for Life risk reduction program in reducing alcohol consumption and improving knowledge and attitudes towards alcohol use in male Swedish military conscripts, aged 18 to 22 years.

Design/methodology/approach

A quasi‐experimental design was used in which 1,371 military conscripts from ten regimens were assigned to either a control or program intervention group. Changes in alcohol consumption, knowledge and attitudes towards alcohol use were assessed with self‐report questionnaires at baseline, and again 5 months and 20 months after the program.

Findings

Pre to post program reductions in total alcohol consumption and “high risk” consumption were reported in both the control and intervention group. There were no statistically significant group interactions over time, indicating that factors beyond the intervention alone were responsible for the reductions in alcohol consumption. Attitudes towards consumption improved significantly in both groups at five months before returning to baseline levels at 20 month follow‐up.

Originality/value

PRIME for Life is one of the most widely used alcohol and drug risk reduction programs in the United States and has recently been implemented in parts of Sweden to reduce alcohol consumption and related harm. To our knowledge, this is the first peer‐reviewed evaluation of the effectiveness of the PRIME for Life program.

Citation

Hallgren, M.Å., Källmén, H., Leifman, H., Sjölund, T. and Andréasson, S. (2009), "Evaluation of an alcohol risk reduction program (PRIME for Life) in young Swedish military conscripts", Health Education, Vol. 109 No. 2, pp. 155-168. https://doi.org/10.1108/09654280910936602