Evaluating the Acceptability of a Brief Web-Based Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program Among US Military Cadets: Mixed...

Area of Science:

• Military Health
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health Interventions

Background:

• Alcohol misuse is a significant issue within military populations.
• Evidence-based prevention programs tailored to military norms are crucial.
• Interventions targeting future military leaders, like cadets, may be highly impactful.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the acceptability of a military-adapted version of the eCHECKUP TO GO web-based alcohol intervention.
• To assess cadet satisfaction with a version tailored with military-specific language and statistics.

Main Methods:

• A single-arm, mixed-methods study involving US Air Force Academy cadets.
• Participants completed the adapted eCHECKUP TO GO intervention.
• Surveys and focus groups assessed user experience, satisfaction, and suggestions for improvement.

Main Results:

• Overall program acceptability was high (mean 5.8/7), with high ratings for ease of use, design, and interactivity.
• Content tailoring and relevance specific to cadets received lower scores (mean 5.5-5.8/7).
• Most cadets (68%) indicated they would act on the provided information; focus groups suggested enhancing content on social drinking and military-specific risks.

Conclusions:

• The military version of eCHECKUP TO GO demonstrates high acceptability among cadets.
• Continued adaptation is necessary to ensure content accurately reflects cadet experiences and military contexts.
• Rigorous evaluation of intervention content acceptability is vital for effective military health promotion.