The RealU: A Web-based Intervention to Reduce College Smoking

Larry An
University of Minnesota

Topic: Psychobehavioral interventions
Track: Research
Type: Oral presentation

     Full text: Not available
     Slides: available to participants
     Last modified: March 14, 2006
     Presentation date: 10/18/2006 9:00 AM in RYH Tudor 7
     (View Schedule)

Abstract
Background: The college years represent an opportunity to intervene to limit escalation in cigarette use and encourage early cessation. Working with the University of Minnesota's Boynton Student Health Service, the goal of this project was to test a web-based intervention to reduce cigarette smoking by UM Twin Cities undergraduates.

Methods: This is a two-group prospective randomized controlled trial. Potential participants (any smoking past 30 days) were identified via internet health screening survey and invited to enroll. Individuals randomized to the RealU intervention group were offered a $10 incentive to make weekly visits to the study site to (1) track their cigarette use, (2) take an interactive quiz to learn about their lifestyle and smoking habits, and (3) view an on-line college life magazine with general lifestyle and smoking related content. Outcomes include 7-day abstinence at weeks 6, 12, and 20 evaluation points and 30-day abstinence at week 20 (with carbon monoxide (CO) validation).

Results: Invitation email was sent to 25,000 UM undergraduates yielding 6492 completed surveys (26% response) identifying 1857 smokers (29% prevalence) of whom 517 enrolled (usual care=260, RealU=257). Weekly participation exceeded 89% (range 89%-98%). The prevalence of 7-day abstinence from smoking in the RealU group was higher than in the control group at 6 (42% vs. 25%, p<0.001), 12 (42% vs. 33%, p<0.05), and 20 weeks (59% vs. 38%, p<0.001). The rate of 30-day abstinence at week 20 was also higher in the RealU (40%) vs. usual care (23%, p<0.001). CO validation showed low rates of underreporting (<1%) with no difference between the groups.

Conclusion: Internet health screening is an effective means to identify large numbers of college smokers. The RealU on-line intervention achieved and sustained high participation rates, reduced the 7-day point prevalence of smoking, and increased 30-day abstinence.