Lessons from Participation in a Web-based Substance Use Preventive Program in Uruguay

We analyzed individual and program characteristics associated with participation in an ICT-based substance use preventive intervention in Uruguay, South America. The intervention was directed at nineand ten-grade students in ten private schools in Montevideo. Participation in the program was non-mandatory and effective participation rates were low. We found that individual characteristics, such as prior heavy engagement with alcohol and opportunity costs of time, were associated with the decision to participate. We also found that sending the participants periodic reminders via email and SMS text messages had a positive impact in participation. The lessons from this intervention suggest that participation in non mandatory webbased programs aimed at preventing substance use among adolescents could be substantially improved with a more structured, mandatory, and longer intervention. ___________________________________________________________________ The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Research Department of the Inter American Development Bank to implement the webbased preventive program here described