Peer-to-peer education to prevent drug use: a qualitative analysis of the perspectives of student peer educators from Surabaya, Indonesia

Abstract

ISSUE ADDRESSED: Adolescence is a transition period between childhood and adulthood during which an individual is more likely to engage in drug use. Peer education is one strategy suggested to discourage adolescents from engaging in negative lifestyle behaviours including drug use. This qualitative research was conducted to understand the perspectives of student peer educators to provide counseling to their peers around drug use. METHODS: Data were gathered at 10 senior high schools in five regions of Surabaya through semi-structured interviews (student peer educators: n=20; teachers: n=13) and focus group discussions (3 FGDs with student peer educators: n=25). The data were analysed through thematic analysis following procedures of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. RESULTS: The peer educators showed readiness (actual or potential) to provide counseling based on the external factor (confidence of ongoing support) and internal factors (motivate healthy lifestyle choices, ready with an open ear, self-development, and share knowledge and experience). CONCLUSIONS: The readiness to provide counseling emphasises the preparedness of the students to help their peers and appeared underpinned by their self development and personal experiences. A capacity building program to enable student peer educators to enhance their skills to motivate healthy lifestyle choices would be of benefit. SO WHAT?: The confidence in ongoing support factor recognises the essential role of stakeholders to visibly advocate for the reactivation of the peer educator program for high school students as a clear sign of support.