Adaptação portuguesa do programa de prevenção "saluda"um estudo piloto

Résumé

Saluda (Espada & Méndez, 2003) is an alcohol and similar substances prevention program oriented for teenagers between ages of 12 and 14 years old. This program has been extensively tested in Spain over several years and obtained encouraging results throughout different studies. This study proposes the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of Saluda to the Portuguese population. The cross-cultural adaptation process included the following phases: 1) the direct translation, the synthesis of translations, and the revision by a committee of experts; 2) analysis of materials by a teenagers focus group; 3) Inclusion of the focus group suggestions¿ and; 4) the original program¿s submission to the authors. The main content changes from the original version were the modification of typical drinks and the consumption scenarios. Once the educators were selected and trained, the program was tested on a sample of 82 7th graders from a school in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, aged between 11 and 14 years old. The program¿s cross-cultural adaptation was conducted using self-report measures and interviews (process evaluation). The results showed a high degree of acceptance and attractiveness both from participants and educators. The students found the program understandable, with useful content and expressed great satisfaction with it.Data from this study show that the program can be successfully implemented among Portuguese adolescents. Future work will include the evaluation of the program's effectiveness through an experimental study.