Facilitating an introduction to Evidence-based Prevention: INEP Plus

Background: The Introduction to Evidence-based Prevention (INEP) is a beginner’s self-led online course on prevention by Charles University, Prague. ISSUP developed a facilitators training 'INEP Plus' that allow prevention science concepts to be better understood. Facilitators offer this INEP Plus input virtually to beginners in prevention in countries where ISSUP National Chapters exist. Thee-poster will provide a summary of the INEP Plus course and the feedback provided by the trained facilitators.

Methods: INEP Plus facilitators course was developed by ISSUP authors and presented to 40 facilitators from 20 countries. The facilitators had to be identified as meeting ISSUP trainers’ criteria. The training was offered over a six-week period with the task of undertaking the INEP course content individually. Support material was provided to assist the trained facilitators to pilot the INEP Plus course in their own countries.

Results: Participant’s feedback from the initial group of trained facilitators was taken throughout the course as well as a pre and post evaluation. Answers about the course reflected a strong positive response to the view that it was useful to help with planning prevention interventions. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10-highest grade), participants found the training to be useful for a better understanding of prevention’s principles (54% rated 10 and 46 % rated 8-9). Pre-post tests show a positive feedback where 100% agreed that they can after the training explain the common language of prevention science. This feedback will be presented in summary form within thee-poster.

Conclusion: The main outcome of the INEP Plus programme is the training of international multipliers of preventive evidence-based knowledge. The result of scientific evidence is brought to the ground and made available - especially during COVID period - to those working in the field of drug prevention, thus contributing to the dissemination of prevention science and practice.