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Systematic Review
"To systematically review evidence on the effectiveness of universal multi‐component prevention programs in preventing alcohol misuse in school‐aged children up to 18 years of age. To update a part of a previously published Cochrane systematic review."
"20 parallel‐group trials were included. The reporting quality of trials was poor, only 25% and 5% of them reporting adequate method of randomisation and program allocation concealment, respectively. Incomplete data was adequately addressed in about half of the trials and this information was unclear for about 20% of the trials. Due to extensive heterogeneity across interventions, populations, and outcomes, the results were summarized only qualitatively. 12 of the 20 trials showed some evidence of effectiveness compared to a control or other intervention group, with persistence of effects ranging from 3 months to 3 years. Of the remaining 8 trials, one trial reported significant effects using one‐tailed tests and 7 trials reported no significant effects of the multi‐component interventions for reducing alcohol misuse. Assessment of the additional benefit of multiple versus single component interventions was possible in 7 trials with multiple arms. Only one of the 7 trials clearly showed a benefit of components delivered in more than one setting."
"There is some evidence that multi‐component interventions for alcohol misuse prevention in young people can be effective. However, there is little evidence that interventions with multiple components are more effective than interventions with single components."