Intranet-Based Tobacco Prevention Program for Children

描述（由申请人提供）：这个竞争性的延续建议进行研究项目的第二阶段，以创建和评估一个新的基于计算机的烟草预防计划，为五年级和六年级的学生，是有效的，可传播的和高度参与。这项预防计划的目的是减少儿童使用烟草的行为意图和意愿，并预防或延迟他们开始使用烟草。该方案的创新之处在于，它是通过学校内部网（联网的计算机连接到一个共同的服务器）提供的，这允许体验式学习和即时反馈同学的反应，它是翻译的性质。程序组件的迭代开发和评估，以确保他们是有效的，在改变理论为基础的中介机制，从原型/意愿模型和基于影响的风险认知和决策理论。最后一项计划涉及全州烟草预防目标。该项目的第一阶段是一项为期三年的发展研究，已接近完成。我们已经创建了一个令人兴奋的3-D环境作为该计划的界面，开发并展示了12个组件的有效性为5年级计划，并预计成功完成最后5个组件，并在未来几个月内进行现场测试。第二阶段的目标，这里提出，是：（1）在学校进行随机疗效试验，以评估该计划的有效性;（2）迭代开发和测试的7个组成部分的有效性，包括在六年级助推器会议;（3）制定一个计划指南，教师和家长通讯;（4）检查TFT计划旨在针对的机制从5年级到7年级的变化，并评估这些认知机制是否有助于介导该计划对吸烟结果的影响。该有效性试验将在俄勒冈州西部6个县的44所小学和22所中学的3,225名儿童中进行，使用该项目提供的计算机和技术支持。基线和后续学生评估将由项目工作人员在第五，第六和第七年级进行。公共卫生相关性。在4年级和5年级以及6年级和7年级之间开始吸烟的人数大幅增加，这使得这一发展时期成为提供烟草预防计划的理想时间。该计划的目标是防止儿童在这一脆弱时期更容易吸烟。与NCI的使命一致，预防或延迟早期开始吸烟导致更少的成人吸烟和尼古丁依赖，并相应地带来实质性的健康益处。翻译当代的理论，为什么孩子们愿意尝试吸烟，为什么积极的感觉吸烟减少其感知的风险，导致了发展的新颖和有效的程序组件单独证明改变这些倾向。第二阶段将利用第一阶段的成功，评估已完成项目的有效性，该项目具有未来在全国范围内传播的巨大潜力，

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This competing continuation proposes to conduct the second phase of a research project to create and evaluate a novel computer-based tobacco prevention program for 5th and 6th grade students that is effective, disseminable and highly engaging. The purpose of this prevention program is to decrease children's behavioral intentions and willingness to use tobacco, and to prevent or delay their initiation of tobacco use. The program is innovative in that it is delivered over a school-based intranet (networked computers linked to a common server), which allows experiential learning and immediate feedback on classmates' responses, and it is translational in nature. Program components are iteratively developed and evaluated to assure that they are effective at changing theoretically-based mediating mechanisms derived from the Prototype/Willingness model and affect-based risk perception and decision theory. The final program addresses statewide tobacco prevention objectives. Phase 1 of this project, a 3-year developmental study, is nearing completion. We have created an exciting 3-D environment as the interface of the program, developed and demonstrated the effectiveness of 12 components for the 5th grade program, and anticipate successfully completing the final 5 components and conducting a field test within the next few months. The aims of Phase 2, proposed here, are to: (1) Conduct a randomized efficacy trial in schools to assess the effectiveness of the program; (2) Iteratively develop and test the effectiveness of 7 components to include in the 6th grade booster sessions; (3) Develop a program guide for teachers and parent newsletters; (4) Examine change from 5th to 7th grade in the mechanisms that the TFT program is designed to target, and assess if these cognitive mechanisms serve to mediate the effects of the program on smoking outcomes. The efficacy trial will be conducted with 3,225 children in 44 elementary and 22 middle schools in 6 counties in Western Oregon using computers and technical support supplied by the project. Baseline and follow-up student assessments will be conducted by project staff in 5th, 6th, and 7th grades. Public health relevance. There is a substantial increase in smoking initiation between grades 4 and 5 and grades 6 and 7, making this developmental period an ideal time to deliver a tobacco prevention program. The goal of this program is to prevent children from becoming more susceptible to smoking during this vulnerable period. Consistent with the mission of NCI, preventing or delaying early smoking initiation leads to less adult smoking and nicotine dependence and, correspondingly, to substantial health benefits. Translating contemporary theories about why children are willing to try smoking and why positive feelings about smoking reduce its perceived risk has resulted in the development of novel and effective program components demonstrated individually to change these tendencies. Phase 2 will capitalize on the success of Phase 1 by evaluating the efficacy of the completed program, which has enormous potential for future dissemination nationwide,