Recruitment of Community College Students Into a Web-Assisted Tobacco Intervention Study

Proactive and Reactive Recruitment of Black and Latino Adolescents in a Vaping Prevention Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study was to assesses the effectiveness of proactive and reactive methods in the recruitment of Black and Latino adolescents into a vaping-prevention randomized controlled trial (RCT). This study also assessed the characteristics of study participants by recruitment method. Proactive recruitment strategies included study presentations at community-based events (e.g., festivals, health fairs), school-based events (e.g., back-to-school events, after-school programs), and recreational centers (e.g., fitness centers, malls). Reactive recruitment strategies included study advertisements via social media (e.g., Facebook posts shared by local community-based organizations), word of mouth, and an academic-based research hub. Using proactive and reactive methods, in a 4-month period, 362 Black and Latino adolescents were successfully enrolled into the RCT. Compared to the proactive method, adolescents screened reactively were equally likely to be eligible but significantly more likely to enroll in the study. However, both proactive and reactive strategies made notable contributions to the overall recruitment effort. Moreover, proactive and reactive methods attracted adolescents with different characteristics (e.g., age, gender, sexual orientation, etc.). These findings suggest that both proactive and reactive recruitment strategies should be implemented for studies interested in recruiting a diverse sample of Black and Latino adolescents.

Evaluating the mechanisms and long-term effects of a web-based comprehensive sexual health and media literacy education program for young adults attending community college: study protocol for a three-arm randomized controlled trial

Background

Many community college students experience poor sexual and relationship health outcomes. Young adults consume a plethora of media content, much of which depicts unhealthy sexual and romantic relationships, and research has shown that media exposure can negatively impact health outcomes. Asynchronous, web-based media literacy education (MLE) programs have been shown to improve short-term sexual and relationship health outcomes. However, there is a dearth of research on the mechanisms by which MLE programs impact health outcomes and the long-term effects of MLE programs on sexual and relationship health outcomes among community college students.

Methods

This study will (1) evaluate the unique effects of MLE on primary and secondary sexual and relationship health outcomes; (2) compare the mechanisms underlying the effects of an asynchronous, web-based MLE sexual health program (Media Aware) to the mechanisms underlying the effects of an active control program on health outcomes; and (3) evaluate the long-term efficacy of Media Aware on media literacy skills and sexual and relationship health outcomes compared to active control and delayed intervention control groups. To address these aims, a three-arm randomized controlled trial with young adults attending community college will be conducted. It is expected that around 30 campuses will participate and approximately 67 students from each campus will be enrolled in the study (estimated n = 2010). Campuses will be randomized to either the (1) intervention group (Media Aware); (2) active control group (sexual health education from Media Aware without MLE content or methods); or (3) delayed intervention control group. Students will complete online questionnaires at pretest, posttest, 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups.

Discussion

This project has the potential to advance theory about the potential mechanisms through which MLE has an impact on sexual and relationship health outcomes by directly testing the impact of interventions using a randomized design. Additionally, this study is expected to establish strong evidence for the effectiveness of Media Aware for use with young adults and to help identify strategies to optimize the longer-term impact of the program on health. Students’ satisfaction with programming will be discussed to inform future implementation efforts.

Effectiveness of a web platform on university students' motivation to quit smoking

Objective:

to know the dependence on nicotine and the motivation to quit smoking in Nursing and Physiotherapy students of a university in the South of Spain, and to evaluate the impact of an intervention based on the use of information technologies on the motivation to quit smoking.

Method:

a pilot study in two phases: the first being cross-sectional and the second, a before-and-after intervention. The motivation to quit smoking was assessed by means of the Richmond questionnaire, and the dependence on nicotine through the Fagerström questionnaire; additionally, an intervention was performed based on the use of a web platform to increase motivation to quit smoking. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied.

Results:

the prevalence in the use of tobacco was 4.33% (n=29). 3.45% of the participants had a high level of dependence; and 6.90%, a high level of motivation. The level of motivation did not change after the intervention (p=0.10).

Conclusion:

most of the students have low levels of motivation to quit smoking and of physical dependence to nicotine. The level of motivation to quit smoking does not change after performing the intervention.

Smoke-Free Home and Vehicle Policies Among Community College Smokers

BACKGROUND

Personal smoke-free policies (home and vehicle) reduce secondhand smoke exposure, improve health, and increase quitting among smokers. Overall, 83.0% and 78.1% of Americans report smoke-free homes and vehicles, respectively. However, little is known about such policies among 2-year community college (CC) students, who represent a large, diverse population with higher smoking rates and less negative attitudes toward smoking than 4-year college students.

METHODS

Prevalence of, and factors associated with, personal smoke-free policies were examined for 2,475 CC smokers enrolled in a national trial of web-assisted tobacco intervention.

RESULTS

Few students had smoke-free home policies (20.7%), smoke-free vehicles (17.0%), both smoke-free home and vehicle policy (4.2%), or any policy (home or vehicle; 31.2%). In logistic regression models, having children was associated with a smoke-free home or any policy but not with a smoke-free vehicle, and among participants who had children, only 20% reported a smoke-free home, and only 15% had a smoke-free vehicle. In addition, not living with other smokers, living with parents or roommates/siblings (vs. alone), smoking later than 30 minutes after awakening, believing that smoking affects the health of others, and confidence in quitting were associated with presence of a smoke-free home or any policy; no variables were significantly associated with presence of a smoke-free vehicle.

CONCLUSIONS

CC students represent a priority population for intervention regarding smoke-free homes and vehicles. Such intervention can decrease exposure of others, including children, and potentially increase the likelihood of quitting in this high-risk population.

Does E-cigarette Use at Baseline Influence Smoking Cessation Rates among 2-Year College Students?

INTRODUCTION

This study evaluates the impact of baseline e-cigarette use on smoking cessation rates in a national sample of two-year college student smokers.

METHODS

Participants were 1400 students from over 60 two-year colleges across 25 states who were current smokers enrolled in a web-assisted tobacco intervention (WATI) trial. Survey data were collected at baseline, 1-, 6-, and 12-months, with primary outcomes evaluated at 6-months.

RESULTS

At 6-months, baseline e-cigarette users were more likely to report cessation of traditional cigarettes compared to non-users (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.002-1.92). Cessation was also associated with higher baseline confidence in quitting and greater time to first cigarette in the morning. Baseline e-cigarette use was not found to be associated with self-reported cessation of all nicotine/tobacco products (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.75-1.58) nor biochemically verified cessation of all nicotine/tobacco products (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.47-1.47). Higher confidence was again associated with both self-reported and biochemically verified cessation of all nicotine/tobacco products. Female gender was associated only with biochemically verified cessation of all nicotine/tobacco products at 6-months.

CONCLUSIONS

Two-year college students represent a priority population for cessation interventions. The findings from this study highlight the complexities of evaluating the impact of e-cigarette use on cessation.