Prevention Strategies for Intentional Firearm Injuries

KO
Overseen ByKelly O'Connor
Age: < 18
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to improve youth violence prevention programs by focusing on reducing firearm-related risks and preventing suicide among U.S. youth. Researchers will gather insights from teenagers at higher risk of firearm injuries to develop new strategies that enhance existing prevention efforts. The trial seeks participants aged 13-17 who have a history of violent injury or are referred by violence prevention programs.

As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to groundbreaking strategies that could significantly enhance youth safety and well-being.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It might be best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this prevention strategy is safe?

Research shows that improving current prevention strategies can lower the risk of firearm injuries among young people. Although specific safety data for this trial is unavailable, it builds on well-established programs that have successfully reduced violence risks in the past. These programs have proven effective and are generally safe.

Since this trial enhances an existing strategy, its safety should align with the original program. This suggests it is likely safe for participants, as these programs have already been tested in real-world settings. The trial will add specific information about firearm risks, but this should not significantly alter safety concerns.

Prospective participants should know that these programs aim to create a safer environment by addressing important issues. This enhancement is not a new medical treatment, so there is no need to worry about medication side effects. Instead, the focus is on improving education and awareness strategies, which are generally safe and helpful.12345

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it aims to enhance existing prevention strategies for intentional firearm injuries by actively involving youth in the process. Unlike traditional approaches that might rely solely on expert opinions, this trial gathers insights directly from young people through interviews to identify specific risk and protective factors related to firearm injuries. This youth-driven approach ensures that the intervention is relevant and tailored to actual experiences and challenges faced by the community, potentially leading to more effective prevention strategies. This collaborative model, which integrates the voices of youth in developing the intervention, is a key innovation that sets it apart from standard methods.

What evidence suggests that enhancing an existing prevention strategy could be effective for reducing firearm-related risks among youth?

Research has shown that current programs to prevent youth violence successfully reduce aggression and similar behaviors. However, these programs often overlook specific firearm-related risks, crucial for preventing intentional gun injuries. This trial will explore enhancing an existing prevention strategy by incorporating firearm-specific elements. Studies have found that adding information about firearms to these programs can address this gap. By focusing on factors like gun accessibility and safe storage, these improved strategies might lower the risk of gun injuries among young people. Therefore, adding firearm-specific prevention strategies to existing programs could effectively address this important issue.24678

Who Is on the Research Team?

KO

Kelly O'Connor

Principal Investigator

Virginia Commonwealth University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking youth aged approximately 13-17 years who are at high risk for firearm-related injury, such as those with a history of violent injury or referrals from violence prevention programs. They must be able to agree to participate and have parental consent if under 18.

Inclusion Criteria

I can speak and understand English well enough for study needs.
I am between 13 and 17 years old.
I am considered at high risk for firearm-related injury.
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Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Development

Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) Advisory Board develops the focus group protocol and intervention manual

15 weeks
15 meetings (in-person)

Intervention

Implementation of the SAFE Futures intervention to reduce risk factors associated with intentional firearm violence and suicide

8-12 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in attitudes, norms, and behaviors related to firearm safety

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Enhancing an Existing Prevention Strategy

Trial Overview

The study aims to enhance existing youth violence prevention strategies by focusing on reducing intentional firearm injuries among high-risk youth. It includes forming focus groups, establishing an advisory board of high-risk youths, and providing feedback sessions and training.

How Is the Trial Designed?

2

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) Advisory BoardExperimental Treatment4 Interventions
Group II: IntervieweesExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Virginia Commonwealth University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
732
Recruited
22,900,000+

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Collaborator

Trials
902
Recruited
25,020,000+

Citations

Challenges, Successes, and the Future of Firearm Injury ...

Firearm injuries constitute a major US public health crisis that requires urgent attention. Fatality rates have increased 34.9% over the past decade.

Preventing Firearm Injury and Death

Explore data, research findings, and effective strategies to prevent firearm injuries and deaths. Access essential resources for support and ...

The Public Health Approach to Prevent Gun Violence

Collecting and distributing reliable firearm data is essential to combating gun violence through a public health approach.

Enhancing an Existing Prevention Strategy to Reduce ...

These programs have demonstrated positive effects on reducing aggression and related behaviors, firearm-specific risk factors were largely ...

Building an Evidence-Base for Gun Violence Prevention

Experts have recommended a variety of improvements to existing data systems to address these deficiencies, including: enhancing the Behavioral Risk Factor ...

Enhancing an Existing Prevention Strategy to Reduce ...

The study is designed to determine whether adding SAFE Futures to the Emerging Leaders program reduces risk factors associated with intentional ...

RFA-CE-20-006: 3-year awards | Firearm Injury and Death ...

This project is designed to build the evidence base for interventions that promote safe behaviors related to youth firearm use and injury ...

Health Systems Interventions to Prevent Firearm Injuries

HEALTH SYSTEMS INTERVENTIONS TO PREVENT FIREARM INJURIES AND DEATH. PROCEEDINGS OF A WORKSHOP. Joe Alper, Melissa French, and Alexis Wojtowicz, Rapporteurs.