Sally Good General Manager, DECIPHer Impact Limited
Dr Jo Holliday Research Fellow, Centre for the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer), Cardiff University
Abstract
The complexity and scale of health promotion interventions present challenges for the standardization of delivery.
This paper examines the fidelity of intervention delivery within A Stop Smoking in Schools Trial (ASSIST), and the systems established to ensure translation of positive trial findings into real-world settings.
The ASSIST intervention involves influential Year 8 students being trained to encourage their peers to be smoke-free. Its effectiveness was evaluated by a pragmatic randomized controlled trial, with an integral process evaluation to examine the context, implementation and receipt of the intervention.
A variety of methods, including interviews, questionnaires and observation, were used to obtain data from key participants.
The trial demonstrated a 22% reduction in the odds of being a regular smoker [odds ratio 0.78 (95% CI 0.64-0.96)] in intervention compared with control schools.
Whilst overall fidelity was high, some variations were observed. Despite this, the intervention was largely delivered successfully and appropriately across a range of schools.
ASSIST is now distributed under licence by DECIPHer IMPACT Ltd. We will discuss the systems implemented to maintain the quality of programme delivery and maximise effectiveness within this licensing system.
Source of funding: DECIPHer Impact is the funding source.
Declaration of interest: DECIPHer IMPACT Ltd distribute ASSIST under licence as a not-for-profit. The Company is jointly owned by Cardiff University and the University of Bristol.
