Web-based Tobacco Prevention TechFresh.org Kerren McDougal, EdD Center for Tobacco Prevention & Control Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Lubbock, Texas

Introduction Previous Prevention Experience College Health Behaviors Survey Background to Website Website Development Website Assessment

Previous Tobacco Prevention Campaigns Tasty, Delish –Based on Student Responses to Survey – Most students said they would rather not date someone who uses tobacco Walt –Social Norms Campaign –Used the Social Norm -70% of Tech Students Don’t Use Tobacco – Character, Walt, as the Brand

Previous Tobacco Prevention Campaigns

Surveyed students about Walt campaign –72% of students had seen the campaign –Many students were ignoring the message The character was distracting Once students realized the campaign was about tobacco use they ignored the actual campaign slogan –The Walt campaign was also extremely expensive to maintain

Health Behaviors Survey Looked at overall health behaviors of college students –Tobacco use was negatively correlated with exercise for most students and healthy eating –Tobacco use positively correlated with alcohol use

Other Issues at Texas Tech School in a small southwestern city –Lubbock, Texas (population about 200,000) –Requires a little more work on the part of students to find activities Students come from all over the state –68% if the students come from large metropolitan areas in Texas –The other 32% come from small towns Students always asking: –WHAT IS THERE TO DO IN LUBBOCK???

Other Issues for College Students College students are increasingly turning to the internet for health information (Escoffery, et. al., 2005) We wanted to help students link health with activities that they consider fun

TechFresh.org Community website with information about: –Campus activities –Live music –Arts –Outdoor activities –Restaurants –Quizzes, games, articles etc. Health messaging on: –Tobacco use –Alcohol use –Exercise –Nutrition –Basic safety etc.

TechFresh.org Information presented in a hip colorful format User friendly Health messaging designed to raise student’s awareness about health behaviors

TechFresh.org Developed by students and former students Market Tested (student input & buy-in) –Presentations in highly trafficked areas on campus Asked about presentation (aesthetics) User friendly –Focus groups (variety of student groups) Help with presentation What should be included?

TechFresh.org Website Demonstration TechFresh.org

Marketing –Events (Great American Smoke-out) –Newspaper articles in campus newspaper (University Daily) –T-shirts –Chap sticks –Frisbees –Demonstrations at campus health fairs –Future ideas: mouse pads, coasters, etc.

TechFresh.org

Research (Baseline Survey) –Randomly sampled 1,000 entering freshmen 337 responded (about 34% response rate) –Surveyed over the internet about: Tobacco use Exercise behavior Demographic info –Received 1 free movie ticket for participation

TechFresh.org Research (Results) Baseline Survey –14.6% respondents currently used tobacco 6.3% quit in the last 6 months, 4.3% quit more than 6 months ago, & 75% never used –56% respondents exercised 3 to 5 times a week

TechFresh.org Research (Follow-Up Survey) –Respondents from baseline survey ed April 2005 (end of freshman year) Still running by preliminary numbers –242 respondents (72% response rate) –Asked about: Tobacco use Exercise Demographic information Website use (TechFresh) –Received 2 free movie tickets for participation

TechFresh.org Research (Preliminary Results) Spring Follow-up Survey –11.8% currently used tobacco 6.6% quit in the last 6 months, 6.1% quit more than 6 months ago, & 75% never used (not significantly different from the percentages in baseline survey- tobacco use did not change) –66.8% respondents exercised 3 to 5 times per week – (this is significantly more students then the baseline survey- exercise participation increased)

TechFresh.org Research (Preliminary Results) Spring Follow-up Survey –About 11% of the respondents regularly used the websites 93% of these students liked the website 83% of these students exercised 3 to 5 times per week –50% of these students initiated a regular exercise program in the last 6-months