The effectiveness of workplace alcohol education programs in the Royal New Zealand Navy

Abstract

This thesis has evaluated the effectiveness of workplace education programs in the Royal New Zealand Navy on the reduction of alcohol related harm. This workplace provides two alcohol education interventions for new entrants to the organization to increase participant knowledge, disseminate naval policy on alcohol use and promote positive attitudes to moderate/sensible drinking. The first intake of recruits into Basic Common Training of 2011 were chosen as the participants of this study. Their induction requirements were to attend the alcohol education programs known as the Kia Kaha Program and the Alcohol Roadshow. A sample size of 63 participants were surveyed on their alcohol related behaviour (using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), associated attitudes (using part of the Student Alcohol Questionnaire) and knowledge prior to receiving the education. A repeated measures approach was used to examine changes in these cohort variables at three and six month periods after the initial dose of education. At the baseline and six month stages of the research, participants were requested to provide feedback on their perceptions of the alcohol education programs and the ability to effect change on their alcohol use. The results of this study showed that the alcohol education programs produced no clinically significant effect on the overall alcohol behaviour and associated attitudes of the participants; there was however an increase in knowledge. At the three month survey there was a decrease in alcohol behaviour of the participants but at the six month survey this reverted back to baseline levels. Attitudes of participants towards some of the detrimental consequences and harm associated with alcohol use remained negative (desirable) throughout the six month period. Data obtained through their self-evaluation of the programs showed that participants largely believed they used alcohol to appropriate levels despite the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test results suggesting otherwise. The alcohol education programs provided by the Royal New Zealand Navy to its new trainees showed no evidence of reducing alcohol consumption or changing attitudes during the period of this study. The literature review provides a number of recommendations to enhance the efficacy of this and other workplace alcohol education programs.