This presentation examines an interactive Web-based smoking cessation program for worksites. The rationale for developing a Web-based program, why worksites were targeted, the development process, summary evaluation findings as well as hurdles encountered during development of the intervention will be presented. Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Despite increased knowledge about the health consequences from smoking tobacco, 60 million adults in the United States smoke. Currently, 70% of all adults between 18-65 work on an on-going basis. At the same time, a large number of worksites are hooked up to the Internet, offering millions of employees desktop access to e-mail and the Web. The Web-based program is designed to take advantage of typical worksite setting characteristics, including an on-going, repeated-contact intervention that motivates and supports smokers during the process of cessation. It includes stage-specific materials tailored to the characteristics and needs of 12 distinct sub-populations, who differed on age, race/ethnicity, and gender. Video-based messages present information on nicotine replacement therapy, Zyban, benefits and barriers to quitting, dealing with difficult situations and cravings, avoiding environmental cues, setting and keeping a quit date, and relapse prevention. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated by people at worksites throughout the Unites States in a randomized clinical trial. This presentation will focus on the rationale, development process, considerations, limitations, and summary findings of an interactive Web-based health intervention.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session the participant will be able to:
Keywords: Smoking Cessation, Internet
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Oregon Center for Applied Science, Inc
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.