260600 Outcome Evaluation of Tobacco Prevention via Online Innovative Teacher Continuing Education Program in Florida

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 : 12:45 PM - 1:00 PM

Jiunn-Jye Sheu, PhD, MSPH, MCHES , Department of Health and Recreation Professions, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
W. William Chen, PhD, CHES , Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Chung-Bang Weng, MSCS, MA, PhD , Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
INTRODUCTION: Tobacco use ranks among the top 3 modifiable risk factors for chronic disease and premature death. CDC's recent YRBS statistics indicated increasing trends of tobacco prevalence among Floridian high school students. In addition, among students who currently smoke cigarettes, the proportion of ever tried to quit smoking cigarettes in Florida is significantly lower than the national average. To prepare teachers for tobacco prevention education, the Florida Department of Education offered the Statewide Online Tobacco Prevention and Intervention Teacher Training (SOTPTT) using TrainU, an online training program with information about tobacco hazards and resources, tobacco prevention curriculum, audio and video instructions, and interactive activities, for teacher's continuing education. This study assessed teacher's learning outcomes and program satisfaction.

METHODS: A Logic Model was developed to guide this outcome evaluation study using a two-group quasi-experimental design. Survey instruments were pilot tested with proper validity and reliability (Cronbach alphas .69-.91). To examine if differences in tobacco prevention knowledge exist prior to the training, the pre-assessment scores of the teachers who completed and did not complete SOTPTT were compared.

RESULTS: A total of 323 teachers (93.9%) had completed all requirements. The teacher's understanding about tobacco prevention showed 30% improvement after training with very high statistical significance. The level of familiarity with tobacco prevention curriculum had the largest improvement (50%) after training. In addition, the trained teachers stated their level of knowledge about tobacco prevention resources increased by 37%. The pre-assessment scores between the teachers who completed and did not complete SOTPTT were found to have no statistical significance. Moreover, teacher's satisfaction results showed the teachers had high satisfaction to the program in the areas of quality, comfort, and confidence.

IMPLICATIONS: The results indicated that teachers, if participated in SOTPTT, can have significant improved understanding in tobacco prevention.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice

Learning Objectives:
The audience will be able to: 1. understand the incentives and motion via continuing education to promote K-12 tobacco prevention 2. identify the improvement of learning outcomes among participating teachers 3. describe the barriers and future program improvements

Keywords: Information Technology, Tobacco

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I designed this study, collected and analyzed data, and wrote the report.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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