Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114105

Jay M. Bernhardt, PhD, MPH¹, Stuart Usdan, PhD, CHES², Darren Mays¹, Jessica Aungst¹, Jennifer Cremeens³, and Ryan J. Martin, MS³. (1) Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, 404-712-8425, jbernhardt@cdc.gov, (2) Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Univeristy of South Carolina, 800 Sumter Street, HESC 220, Columbia, SC 29208, (3) Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 800 Sumter St., HESC 221C, Columbia, SC 29208

Introduction: Increased alcohol consumption by young adults is a significant public health concern. Although numerous national surveys have explored the overall scope of this problem, limited information is available about patterns of daily alcohol use. A major methodological challenge of alcohol research is the ability to effectively measure quantity, frequency, and context of individual-level alcohol consumption while eliminating measurement errors that affect retrospective, paper-based measures. Today's technology has advanced data collection and provides advantages such as the capacity to collect data portably and with great detail and objectivity. Wireless handheld computers offer great potential for capturing patterns of alcohol use and improving individual-level alcohol assessment. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relative efficacy of measuring self-reported quantity, frequency, and context of alcohol consumption among college students using wireless handheld computers compared to alcohol assessment using paper-based Time Line Follow Back (TLFB). Methods: In Study One, 20 undergraduates completed TLFB at baseline and follow-up and completed a daily alcohol survey via handheld computer during the 2-week study period. In Study Two, 80 undergraduates completed TLFB at baseline and follow-up and completed the daily handheld survey during the 4-week study period. Conclusions: Preliminary analysis suggests that the handheld-based survey captured higher drinking levels than the TLFB. In-depth analysis from Study One and Two will be presented and discussed. Handheld computers may be an effective tool for assessing quantity and frequency and patterns of daily alcohol use.

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