Abstract

SANTACRUZ S, Eduardo; ECHAVARRIA R, María Hortensia; MUNOZ C, Mónica María  and  ARIAS V, Samuel Andrés. Health educators assessment about prevention of violence, drug addiction and unsafe sex in the youth, Medellín, 2004. Rev. Fac. Nac. Salud Pública [online]. 2006, vol.24, n.1, pp.70-78. ISSN 0120-386X.

Objective: to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and abilities changes in health educators (mediators) of the Young People Network Project for prevention of drug addiction, unsafe sex and violence. Methods: a quasiexperimental design was used pre and post intervention with a control group. Sample was formed by the third cohort of trained mediators (n = 459) and a control group with characteristics similar to those of the mediators (n = 550). Measurements were made with a questionnaire of direct and supervised administration that evaluated knowledge, attitudes and abilities. Results: educators total score in the final test surpassed that of the initial one and was higher when compared to controls. There was an increase in the knowled- Health educators assessment about prevention of violence, drug addiction and unsafe sex in the youth, Medellín, 2004 ge and attitudes of the mediators after the qualification process and their score surpassed that of the control group. Abilities remained equal after intervention and they did not show difference with respect to controls. Conclusions: qualification process of the Young People Network Project increased mediators’ knowledge about interesting themes and allowed attitudes to be more favorable to promotion and prevention; nevertheless, it did not favor changes in abilities.

Keywords : Youth; drug adiction; safe sex; violence; prevention; education; evaluation; Medellín; Colombia.