Desenvolvimento de protótipo de serious game para prevenção do uso de álcool e outras drogas entre adolescentes

Abstract

The use of alcohol and other drugs is a complex phenomenon that often begins during adolescence, making health education actions directed toward this population essential. The use of educational technologies stands out for promoting innovative and effective approaches to the adoption of healthy behaviors. Thus, this study aimed to develop an educational technology focused on preventing the use of alcohol and other drugs among adolescents. This is a methodological study conducted in the municipality of Sobral, Ceará, Brazil, from September 2025 to January 2026, specifically at the Youth Station (Estação da Juventude). The participants were adolescents who attended and took part in activities developed at this institution. The research was carried out in three stages: (1) integrative literature review; (2) focus group conducted at a Youth Station; and (3) development of a board game prototype. In the first stage, the integrative review identified the main risk factors for alcohol and other drug use during adolescence as family, friendships, territory, and curiosity regarding the consumption of these substances. The second stage consisted of a focus group held in September 2025, with the participation of 15 adolescents aged 11 to 16 years. Ten guiding questions were used, addressing topics such as knowledge about drugs, sources of information, perceptions about use among adolescents, personal experiences, prevention actions, and suggestions for educational strategies. The discussions were recorded using a digital recorder and later transcribed for analysis. The focus group results showed that friendships, family context, curiosity, and place of residence were perceived by participants as risk factors for alcohol and other drug use.In the third stage, a board game prototype was developed by designers specialized in academic projects, based on the findings of the integrative review and the focus group, and grounded in Nola J. Pender’s Health Promotion Model. The board measures 60 cm × 60 cm, providing adequate dimensions for proper display, handling of game components by the target audience, and transportation. It includes 28 written cards measuring 63.3 × 8.8 cm. The roulette wheel measures 16.5 cm × 16.5 cm. The instruction manual consists of one page and addresses the age group, number of participants, components, game setup, and gameplay instructions.