Interventions to promote home radon testing: A randomized clinical trial of a smartphone app vs. printed brochures

Kim, Soojung; Chiu, Tiffany; Klug, Marilyn G.; Schmitz, David; Schwartz, Gary G.

doi:10.1002/cam4.4988

Cited by 3 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…There were 116 potential participants, 39 were parents and 77 were individuals referred by them. Twelve (12) potential participants (10.3%) were ineligible because they had tested their houses in the previous two years. The remaining 104 participants were randomized.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A randomized, controlled trial design with two arms was used, as described previously [12]. Briefly, participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental condition (the radon app) or usual care (the brochures).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The cognitive endpoints were similar to those we described previously [12]. Briefly, we measured radon knowledge as the number of accurate responses to 20 True-False statements about radon.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Each of these variables was measured by two 7-point Likert scales. These measurement scales have been used in previous studies and were shown to be valid and reliable [12,[16][17][18][19].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The app contained the same radon information as printed brochures from the EPA but conveyed that information via smartphone. In a randomized trial (N = 138) comparing the app to brochures, the app was markedly superior in increasing radon knowledge and encouraging users to request free radon tests [12]. App users requested a radon test at a rate 3 times that of brochure recipients.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparing Communication Methods to Increase Radon Knowledge and Home Testing: A Randomized Controlled Trial in a High-Radon City

Kim

Scheffer-Wentz

Klug

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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Introduction: Exposure to residential radon is a preventable cause of cancer. Prevention requires testing, but the percentage of homes that have been tested is small. One reason for the low testing rates may be that printed brochures fail to motivate people to obtain and return a radon test. Methods: We developed a radon app for smartphones that contained the same information as printed brochures. We conducted a randomized, controlled trial that compared the app to brochures in a population comprised largely of homeowners. Cognitive endpoints included radon knowledge, attitudes toward testing, perceived severity and susceptibility to radon, and response and self-efficacy. Behavioral endpoints were participants’ requests for a free radon test and the return of the test to the lab. Participants (N = 116) were residents of Grand Forks, North Dakota, a city with one of the nation’s highest radon levels. Data were analyzed by general linear models and logistic regression. Results: Participants in both conditions showed significant increases in radon knowledge (p < 0.001), perceived susceptibility (p < 0.001), and self-efficacy (p = 0.004). There was a significant interaction, with app users showing greater increases. After controlling for income, app users were three times more likely to request a free radon test. However, contrary to expectation, app users were 70% less likely to return it to the lab (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Our findings confirm the superiority of smartphones in stimulating radon test requests. We speculate that the advantage of brochures in promoting test returns may be due to their ability to serve as physical reminders.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparing Communication Methods to Increase Radon Knowledge and Home Testing: A Randomized Controlled Trial in a High-Radon City

Kim

Scheffer-Wentz

Klug

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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Interventions to promote home radon testing: A randomized clinical trial of a smartphone app vs. printed brochures

et al. 2022

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Behaviourally-informed household communications increase uptake of radon tests in a randomised controlled trial

Timmons,

Lunn

2023

Sci Rep

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Exposure to radon gas is a leading cause of lung cancer. Testing homes for the gas is straightforward, yet most people do not undertake tests even when offered freely. We report a pre-registered randomised controlled trial of communications to encourage test uptake. Households (N = 3500) in areas at high risk of radon exposure were randomly assigned to receive (i) a the control letter from the national Environmental Protection Agency; (ii) a behaviourally-informed version of the control letter that incorporated multiple nudges, including reciprocity messages and numeric frequencies of risk; (iii) this same behaviourally-informed letter in a re-designed envelope; (iv) the behaviourally-informed letter in the re-designed enveloped with a radon risk map of the household’s county. The behaviourally-informed letter led to a large increase in test uptake, from 22% in the control condition to 33% (a 50% increase). There was no additional benefit of the re-designed envelope, which generated uptake of 30%. Including the map led some households to respond faster, but the overall uptake (26%) was weaker. The results have implications for public health communications with households and show the potential for techniques from behavioural science to help mitigate environmental risks.

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Interventions to promote home radon testing: A randomized clinical trial of a smartphone app vs. printed brochures

Cited by 3 publications

References 18 publications

Comparing Communication Methods to Increase Radon Knowledge and Home Testing: A Randomized Controlled Trial in a High-Radon City

Comparing Communication Methods to Increase Radon Knowledge and Home Testing: A Randomized Controlled Trial in a High-Radon City

Interventions to promote home radon testing: A randomized clinical trial of a smartphone app vs. printed brochures

Behaviourally-informed household communications increase uptake of radon tests in a randomised controlled trial

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