The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #60022

Suzanne L. Hurtado, MPH, Cynthia M. Simon-Arndt, MBA, MA, Laura A. Patriarca-Troyk, MA, and Robyn M. Highfill, BA. Behavioral Science and Epidemiology Program, Naval Health Research Center, P.O. Box 85122, San Diego, CA 92186-5122, (619) 553-7806, hurtado@nhrc.navy.mil

As part of a study to evaluate an alcohol misuse prevention program for Marine Corps aviation personnel, a computerized tool was developed to provide personalized feedback on individual drinking behavior. Of 427 Marines who completed the intranet program, 123 subjects provided user ratings. Eighty-nine percent of responders rated the program “easy” or “very easy to use.” The average likeability rating was 3.4 on a 5-point scale, with 5 the highest rating. A total of 46% of subjects found the program “useful” or “very useful,” and half of the sample reported that they were likely to recommend the site to others. An overwhelming 83% of respondents preferred this mechanism for receiving alcohol feedback to other modalities such as classroom or one-on-one training, and 79% felt that the feedback was appropriate for Marines in their community. Specific feedback on alcohol-related spending and estimated blood alcohol levels were both particularly well-received components of the program. Participants ages 25 years and younger rated the program more useful, and were more likely to recommend it to others than participants ages 26 years and older (p < .01). Subjects in the E1 to E3 pay grades rated the program more favorably in several areas than did subjects in higher pay grades. These findings indicate that the feedback program was generally well-received and was rated higher by younger and lower-ranking Marines, the subgroup with a higher risk for alcohol-related problems. The program was also found to be a feasible means for providing health promotion and risk prevention information to this military population.

Learning Objectives:

After reviewing this poster, participants will be informed about respondents’ perceptions of a computerized tool for delivering personalized alcohol misuse prevention information. Specifically, the participant will be able to: (
• identify demographic characteristics associated with higher ratings; (
• describe specific feedback elements that were preferred by users; and (
• discuss potential implications for using this type of mechanism to enhance substance misuse programs.

Keywords: Alcohol Use, Internet Tools

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.