STAGE 3. Defining the population and objectives

What steps should be completed?

Step 1: Define the population

INDIVIDUAL, SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS

The basic and most relevant individual, sociodemographic and social characteristics to defining the target population are, among others, the following:

• Individual characteristics (neuro-behavioral variables, biological and/or genetic factors, age, gender, developmental stage, health status, etc.).
• Lifestyle: drug use, different forms of use other health-related habits and also habits related to other environmental factors such as education, family, work, leisure, etc.
• Living conditions: socioeconomic status, housing, work, education, access to health resources, health conditions, etc.
• Cultural conditions: values, language and ethnicity. 
• Geographical conditions. 
• Knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and values related to drug use.

It is also necessary to determine the total number of people integrating the target population, as well as estimate how many can be reached with the intervention.

On the other hand, the most relevant sociodemographic and social characteristics for selecting and defining the intermediary population include, among others, the following: 

• Individual characteristics: age, gender...
• Status and level of influence in the target population: profession, community leader, volunteer, peers, family, etc.
• Knowledge about the target population.
• Level of access and contact with the target population.
• Level of credibility in the target population.
• Level of willingness and motivation to get involved in the intervention.
• Geographical conditions. 

For this intermediary group, it is also necessary to determine the total number of people and estimate how many can be reached with the intervention.

Once the characteristics of the characteristics of the population group/s have been described, it will be easier to develop inclusion and exclusion criteria for participating in the intervention. +