The ASSIST programme
ASSIST is a peer-led intervention which uses informal contacts between peer educators and other young people as an alternative to didactic, classroom-based approaches to health promotion. It specifically focuses on smoking prevention with children who are in Year 8 at secondary school.
According to the 'diffusions of innovations' theory, behaviour change within communities is encouraged by 'early adopters' who are often popular or well-regarded individuals (Kelly & Stevenson, 1992).
ASSIST started with a feasibility study in the mid-1990's carried out by Mick Bloor and colleagues. The results led to a full-scale randomised controlled trial funded by the Medical Research Council which involved over 11,000 students in 59 schools in south-east Wales and the west of England between September 2001 and May 2004.
Results from the trial showed that smoking levels were reduced amongst students who were at 'high risk' of becoming regular smokers. Data collected one year after the ASSIST programme took place in schools suggest the relative risk of students reporting weekly smoking was 18.3 per cent lower amongst the project's target group when compared with control schools.
The successful trial results led to the Welsh Assembly Government funding the rollout of ASSIST across Wales by the National Public Health Service initially for 3 years, targeting up to 50 schools per year.
For further information contact Sally Good – Smoking Prevention Manager sally.good@nphs.wales.nhs.uk