Substance abuse programs that reduce violence in a youth population : systematic review

Abstract

The systematic review undertaken for this MPH dissertation examines the existing evidence for youth violence interventions involving substance abuse intervention programs. Part A is the review protocol which outlines the background and process of the review. Search strategies combined related terms for youth, violence and a broad combination of terms for the intervention. Inclusion criteria were broad enough to include a wide range of study designs, given the large heterogeneity of outcomes and the paucity of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Abstracts were screened by two reviewers, as were selected full texts articles. These were evaluated using the EPHPP questionnaire, a quantitative study assessment tool to identify methodological issues.