Translating Intervention Programs Can Take More Than a Change of Language Prevention Action | |
go to original March 1, 2014 |
When transferring an evidence-based intervention program across national frontiers, a simple language translation may not be enough. Results from a substance use prevention program in Mexico suggest that wider cultural adaptations are necessary to maximize effectiveness.
The importance of taking cultural differences into account is reinforced by the report from a pilot study where American researchers translated their keepin’ it REAL intervention for Hispanic American youth for use across the border in Mexico. Although results from a randomized controlled trial involving two schools in the city of Guadalajara showed promise, there was evidence to suggest they could have been better if a comprehensive cultural adaptation had been made.
After they completed Manténte REAL, the program translated into Spanish, five classrooms of 7th grade students (average age 13) at one of the schools showed no significant self-reported changes in the frequency of their alcohol consumption or cigarette use. However, the control group of non-participating peers at the other school reported increases, making differences between the two groups statistically significant.
While the “dampening” effect observed on the frequency of substance use was a promising outcome, it fell short of stronger, more consistently positive effects when the keepin’ it REAL curriculum was evaluated ten years earlier in Arizona.
In addition, when results from the Mexican pilot were split by gender, the statistically significant treatment effects remained for female participants, but not males. This suggested that the program’s positive impact depended on substance use changes made by girls.
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