The use of Web-based programs for a variety of health education, risk reduction, and health promotion purposes can be a valuable tool in the effort to improve the health of a population. Providing theory-based personalized feedback through such a method can be particularly useful in alcohol misuse prevention efforts. A brief alcohol use feedback program was developed for members of the U.S. Marine Corps, and user-satisfaction ratings were collected from 167 participants. Approximately 44% of the sample found the program to be useful or very useful, and 46% of the sample reported that they were likely or very likely to recommend the Web site to others. The Web-based format with tailored responses was preferred by 85% of respondents over other more traditional methods of alcohol training, and 80% of participants felt that the feedback was appropriate for Marines in their community. Significantly higher usefulness, likelihood of recommending the program to others, and overall ratings of the program were reported among younger and nonheavy-drinking participants (p < .05). Results indicate that this computerized assessment and feedback program is a promising mechanism with which to provide personalized alcohol misuse prevention information.

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The use of web-based programs for health education, risk reduction, and health promotion can be a valuable tool in the effort to improve the health of a population. Providing personalized feedback through such a method can be particularly useful in alcohol misuse prevention efforts.A brief alcohol use feedback program was developed for members of the U.S. Marine Corps and user-satisfaction ratings were collected from 167 participants. Approximately 44% of the sample found the program to be useful or very usefiil and 46% of the sample reported that they were lUcely or very likely to recommend the web site to others. The Web-based format with tailored responses was preferred by 85% of respondents over other more traditional methods of alcohol training, and 80% of participants felt that the feedback was appropriate for Marines m their community. Significantly higher usefuhiess, likelihood of recommending the program to others, and overall ratings of the program were reported among younger and non-heavy-drinking participants (p < .05). Results indicate that this computerized assessment and feedback program is a promising mechanism with which to provide personalized alcohol misuse prevention information.