User Ratings of a Web-Based Personalized Alcohol Misuse Prevention Feedback Program

Abstract

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.