3074.0 Guardians 4 health: Feasibility of recruitment for a 4-h shooting sports firearm injury prevention training

Session: Firearm Violence: Poster Session

Program: Injury Control and Emergency Health Services

Time: 10:30 - 11:30

Presenter:

Megan L. Ranney, MD, MPH

Abstract

Background: Firearm injury (FI) is the leading cause of death for American youth. Few FI prevention interventions designed with communities with high rates of firearm ownership exist. This study describes feasibility of recruitment of firearm-owning communities to FI prevention interventions.

Methods: Our goal was recruitment of 50 4-H Shooting Sports (4HSS) clubs to a cluster Type 1 Hybrid-Effectiveness trial of Guardians for Health (G4H), a youth FI prevention training. 4HSS leadership was included on the CDC-funded study team. Sites were identified through national presentations to state 4-H Program Leaders and Shooting Sports Coordinators (SSCs). SSCs shared a 10-minute video with their instructors (a mix of volunteers and 4-H employees), and some SSCs would arrange county-level presentations by the study coordinator. Once local instructors were put in touch with the study team, we invited them to discuss eligibility criteria (interest in incorporating intentional FI prevention, leadership of an active club with at least 12 youth ages 12+, ability to manage implementation logistics), after which 4HSS club instructors were enrolled on behalf of their club, if eligible. Data on 4HSS contacts were analyzed descriptively; qualitative data on eligibility and consent were recorded by research staff and analyzed for themes.

Results: As of March 2023, the team has made 5 national presentations, talked with SSCs in all 45 states with active SSCs, been connected with 103 potential instructors in 32 states, and begun eligibility conversations with 62 instructors (60%; reasons for non-response largely unknown) in 23 states. Of 62 eligibility conversations started, 12 (in 8 states) are still ongoing, reflecting COVID-era low club enrollment and instructors’ uncertainty about the number of youth who could potentially participate. Of completed conversations with 50 instructors, 48 (96%) met eligibility criteria, and 47 instructors in 24 states enrolled (98% of those eligible). Qualitative data from eligibility conversations suggests that instructors are generally enthusiastic about participating in comprehensive FI prevention because of personal and national experiences with firearm injury, but wanted reassurance about the program NOT touching on policy. Some instructors also articulated concern about potential parental perceptions of the program.

Conclusions: Enrollment of 4HSS club instructors in a national study of youth FI prevention training is feasible, but barriers exist. Emphasizing that not all FI prevention is policy based, and drawing on personal awareness of FI, were critical components of instructor enrollment.