Impact of a web-based intervention supplemented with text messages to improve cancer prevention behaviors among adolescents: results from a randomized controlled trial
Mené en Espagne et au Mexique auprès de 2 001 adolescents (durée de suivi : 9 mois), cet essai randomisé évalue l'efficacité d'un programme d'interventions en ligne comportant des messages d'encouragement par SMS pour réduire les comportements à risque de cancer (tabagisme, consommation d'alcool, mauvaise alimentation, exposition solaire...)
Objective : To assess the impact of a web-based intervention supplemented with text messages to reduce cancer risk linked with smoking, unhealthy diet, alcohol consumption, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and sun exposure. Methods : A total of 2001 voluntary adolescents from Spain and Mexico were recruited between 2009 and 2012 and randomly assigned to : one control group (CG) and two experimental groups, which received exclusively the online intervention (EG1) or the intervention supplemented with encouraging text messages (EG2). The educational intervention was based on both: successful psychosocial models (i.e. A.S.E. and Transtheoretical model) and the school curriculum. Results : After a 9-month follow-up, the prevalence of students who did not eat fruit was reduced significantly in all groups: EG1 (− 62.6%), EG2 (− 71.5%) and even the CG (− 66.8%). Being overweight was only reduced in the EG2 (− 19.6%). The total cancer behavioral risk (TCBR) score, which ranged from 0 to 100 points (highest risk), was significantly reduced in the EG1 (− 3.5 points) and in the EG2 (− 5.3 points). The text-supplemented online intervention increased the probability of improving the post-test TCBR (OR = 1.62). Conclusion : The web-based intervention supplemented with text messages had a positive global impact, but it lead to only minimal changes in risky behaviors. This intervention appears useful in controlling overweight adolescents. Clinical trial registration number: ISRCTN27988779. Abbreviations : TCBR, total cancer behavioral risk