Effectiveness of a life skills intervention to forestall alcohol use among tribal adolescents in Gujarat, Meghalaya and Tamil Nadu, India: A Non-randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Among youth aged 10-24 years, the main risk factor for Disability Adjusted Life Years is alcohol use (7%) (WHO Global of Disease), especially in developing countries. Tribal adolescents in India need proactive interventions to prevent them from initiating alcohol use. AIM: To assess the experiences and effectiveness of a life skills intervention to prevent alcohol initiation among tribal adolescents. METHODS: Tribal adolescents aged 15-19 years were recruited to participate in a nonrandomized life skills intervention study at three sites at Gujarat, Meghalaya, and Tamil Nadu. Both control and intervention groups (assessed on WHO ASSIST V3) were screened at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. At the 12-month follow-up, the adolescents were interviewed to assess their intervention experience. RESULTS: Fewer tribal adolescents were using alcohol in the intervention as compared to the control group (not statistically significant). Life skills intervention appeared to provide several positive skills such as knowledge transfer and better decision-making and problem-solving. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the life skills intervention appeared to help forestall alcohol intake among tribal youth, who reported their intention to practice assertive behavior to refuse alcohol. Additional intangible benefits were reported. Youth wanted the workshops to be regular and to be expanded to other youth groups.