Volume 24, Issue 5: October, 1997

Abstract

LA ESPERANZA DEL VALLE: ALCOHOL PREVENTION NOVELAS FOR HISPANIC YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES

Bernadette Lalonde, PhD
Peter Rabinowitz, MD, MPH
Mary Lou Shefsky, MPH
Kathleen Washienko, MPH

Address correspondence to Bernadette Lalonde, PhD, Department of Health Services, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington Center for Health Education and Research, 1001 Broadway, Suite 217, Seattle, WA 98122; phone: (206) 720-4259; fax: (206) 720-4218; e-mail: lalonde@u.washington.edu.

With extensive Hispanic community involvement, a television, radio, and storybook novela were developed to improve Hispanic parent-youth communications and youth attitudes regarding alcohol. Focus groups with the target audiences determined the novelas' concentration on alcohol, their medium and language of choice for Hispanic youth versus parents, and the health messages and cultural values to be portrayed. Reactions to the novelas were obtained via self-report surveys, random street interviews, radio listener call-ins, and community group meetings. Favorable reactions were obtained regarding the novelas' cultural sensitivity and appropriateness, and their potential to effect future behavior change. The effect of the television novela on Hispanic youth was evaluated by a pre-post self-report survey administered to middle and high school students. Survey results indicated the television novela may have had some positive effect on Hispanic youth attitudes and behavioral intentions regarding alcohol. The evaluation time line was limiting, however, and further evaluation is required.