Saving Faces and the Department of Health are collaborating on a study to investigate whether talks by surgeons at schools highlighting the consequences of binge drinking, act as an effective deterrent.

The study is currently being conducted in 70 schools around the country. The investigation takes the form of a talk by surgeons and a graphic slideshow presentation highlighting the link between drunkenness and facial injury. Surgeons talk about young people who have been permanently disfigured as a consequence of binge drinking.

Research conducted before the start of the project found that the commonest cause of injuries were fights and falls. The 15-24 year old group suffered the most serious facial injuries.  Subsequently, a national campaign that sent surgeons into schools to talk about the problem was undertaken. Some schools received a video called ‘In Your Face’ to use. However, no analysis of the impact of these interventions was undertaken. It was then decided that an evaluation of the impact should be carried out. A talk was devised and this was used in pilot studies involving 11 schools in Coventry and a school in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Qualitative interviews with pupils showed that they wanted more detailed stories about the patients in the presentation and what happened to them after their treatment. This pilot study helped to inform a 15 minute talk for use in school assemblies about accidents. The talk focuses on how most accidents can be ‘fixed’, but scars are for life. The talk does not tell pupils not to drink, but rather to drink sensibly.

The talk has been very well received by teachers and pupils. One teacher remarked that “students were very shocked and disgusted. They were also surprised at the kind of injuries that could be caused by drinking too much alcohol. A lot mentioned that they would think twice about getting drunk….”

“I felt that it was so important and that we did not have sufficient time to discuss the issue that I have asked the surgeon to attend school again to show the pictures to other year groups. Hopefully we can build up a working relationship where he could hopefully come into school on several occasions to highlight the importance of alcohol abuse” commented another.

Seventy schools have completed baseline surveys. Paper questionnaires were completed by 2491 Year 9 respondents, while 6354 used the on-line version.  These data is currently being analysed and a paper is being prepared outlining the main findings of this survey. Saving Faces will be publishing the results of the study in coming months.