Evaluation of the “En Plenas Facultades” (EPF) Drug Use and Sexual Health Prevention Program Among University Students

abstract

Background: The En Plenas Facultades (EPF) program was designed to improve the health of university students by promoting sexual health and preventing risks associated with substance use through a peer education approach. This study aims to evaluate its implementation and outcomes across 11 Spanish universities during the 2023–2024 academic year, focusing on the mandatory pre-training course for peer educators. Methods: A process and outcome evaluation was conducted using a pre–post design without a control group. Data on program coverage, training quality, and knowledge of substance use and sexual health were collected before and after the intervention using ad hoc questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed using R to assess results across universities and delivery modalities. Results: The overall adherence to the EPF training program was 72% of the enrolled participants, who attended regularly and passed the final assessment, with variability across universities. The program produced greater improvements in sexual health knowledge than in substance use knowledge, and effects were stronger in face-to-face formats than in online delivery. Participant satisfaction was consistently very high. Conclusions: The EPF program shows high levels of satisfaction and is effective in improving knowledge related to sexual health, although results are more heterogeneous in the area of substance use. Further standardisation of implementation and evaluation procedures is recommended to optimise and better assess its impact.

Keywords:

Public health, substance use prevention, sexual health, university students, program evaluation, adherence.

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Authors

Martín González - Dirección técnica y de promoción de proyectos, Fundación Salud y Comunidad. Barcelona, España
Xavier Ferrer - Dirección técnica y de promoción de proyectos, Fundación Salud y Comunidad. Barcelona, España
Daniel Urbina - Dirección técnica y de promoción de proyectos, Fundación Salud y Comunidad. Barcelona, España
Antoni Solanas - Universitat de Barcelona. España
Fran Calvo - Universitat de Girona. España

DOI

https://doi.org/10.54108/10134