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

Abstract #72575

Ross Shegog, PhD¹, Jennifer L. Conroy, DrPH, MPH², Nancy G Murray, DrPH, MA¹, Carolyn Agurcia, MA¹, Steven H Kelder, PhD, MPH³, and Alexander V. Prokhorov, MD, PhD². (1) Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, UT-Houston School of Public Health, 7000 Fannin, Houston, TX 77030, 713-500-9677, Ross.Shegog@uth.tmc.edu, (2) Department of Behavioral Sciences, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, HMB 3.063.11, Houston, TX 77030, (3) School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, 7000 Fannin, Suite 2658, Houston, TX 77030

Introduction: Interactive multimedia programs may offer the potential to motivate teenagers to engage in smoking cessation and prevention behaviors. We describe one such program (ASPIRE) and report on a process evaluation to assess changes in determinants of smoking behavior across consecutive program exposures, as well as attitudes to the program and its feasibility for classroom use. Methods: The ASPIRE program, a CD_ROM-based smoking prevention and cessation curriculum for high school students, is grounded on the Transtheoretical Model and comprises educational “tracks” tailored to student smoking status, stage of change (from smoking acquisition to cessation), nicotine dependence, and depression. Students (n=762) in 8 inner city schools used ASPIRE in an average of 4 classroom sessions (30 – 40 minutes each) across the Fall semester. Process data, collected in written booklets and focus groups, included sessions completed, location within the program (analogous stage of change), knowledge, modified decisional balance, attitudes, and feasibility of ASPIRE for classroom use. Results: Student decisional balance comprising student attitudes toward the importance of smoking and quitting (for experienced smokers) and the importance of not smoking or starting to smoke (for non-smokers) was found to vary as a function of exposure to consecutive computer sessions. ASPIRE was favorably received. Data on optimizing lesson content to maximize student motivation and learning was also obtained. Discussion: ASPIRE is a motivational curriculum that can influence determinants of smoking behavior. Subsequent efficacy and effectiveness trials of ASPIRE are indicated.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session the participant will be able to
• Describe methods that can be used in the process evaluation of computer-based smoking curricula.
• Describe the effect of consecutive exposures of ASPIRE on determinants of smoking behavior in high school students.

Keywords: Tobacco, Prevention

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.