Health risk appraisal modifies cigarette smoking behavior among college students

Area of Science:

• Health Behavior Research
• Preventive Medicine
• Health Promotion

Background:

• Health Risk Appraisal (HRA) is a computer-scored lifestyle analysis questionnaire.
• Assessing the impact of HRA on health behavior change is crucial for college-aged populations.
• Previous studies have not definitively established HRA's efficacy in modifying specific health behaviors like smoking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if Health Risk Appraisal (HRA), with or without feedback, significantly alters health behaviors.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of HRA as an intervention for smoking cessation and prevention among university freshmen.
• To assess the long-term (one-year) impact of HRA on smoking habits in a young adult population.

Main Methods:

• A controlled clinical trial was conducted with 350 entering freshmen at an urban state university.
• Participants were assigned to four groups: HRA with feedback, HRA without feedback, initial control, and final control.
• Health behaviors, specifically cigarette smoking, were monitored over a one-year follow-up period.

Main Results:

• Nonsmokers receiving HRA feedback were significantly less likely to start smoking (5% vs. 22%, p < 0.001).
• Smokers in the feedback group showed higher quit rates (26% vs. 6%, p < 0.05) and reduced consumption (59% reduced by >6 cigarettes/day vs. 19%, p < 0.01).
• HRA with feedback demonstrated a significant positive impact on smoking behavior modification.

Conclusions:

• Health Risk Appraisal, when combined with feedback counseling, is an effective health promotion strategy.
• HRA with feedback successfully prevented nonsmokers from initiating smoking.
• HRA with feedback significantly aided college freshmen in quitting or reducing cigarette consumption.