Developing a web-based health promotion intervention: a case study from a brief motivational alcohol program.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Intervention Science
• Digital Health

Background:

• Intervention development processes are often underreported in public health research.
• Detailed reporting aids in guiding new interventions and refining existing ones.
• Transparency in development enhances intervention effect interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the "black box" of Web-based intervention development.
• To present the methodology for creating a specific Web-based alcohol intervention.
• To provide a replicable framework for digital health intervention design.

Main Methods:

• Describing the systematic process for developing a Web-based intervention.
• Focusing on a brief, motivational alcohol intervention for college students.
• Utilizing a methodology applicable to other digital health interventions.

Main Results:

• The article details the development of the Michigan Prevention & Alcohol Safety for Students program.
• The intervention has demonstrated efficacy in college student populations.
• The presented method offers a transparent approach to intervention design.

Conclusions:

• Reporting intervention development processes is crucial for scientific advancement.
• The presented methodology provides a foundation for future Web-based intervention research.
• Increased transparency in digital health intervention development is essential.