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Characteristics of Participants Visiting the Canada on the Move Website.

ABSTRACT: BackgroundThe Internet is a potential medium to attain large groups of Canadians for physical activity monitoring and interventions, however, little is known about the characteristics of participants who could be recruited on a national level. Our objectives were to determine: 1) the extent to which our sample was representative of the Canadian population; 2) the demographic, social-cognitive and physical activity behaviour, and environmental characteristics of one-time and multi-time users of the Canada on the Move website; and 3) whether certain recruitment strategies were more likely to reach specific demographic subgroups.MethodsWeb-based self-report measures were collected on demographic, social-cognitive, physical activity behaviour, and environmental factors. Descriptive statistics were employed to address the study’s research objectives.ResultsSignificant differences (p<0.001) were found between our total sample and 2001 Canadian census/Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) data on all demographic and physical activity behaviour measures. One-time and multi-time users significantly differed on age (p<0.005) and being responsible for children under age 13 (p=0.01). No differences existed between the groups on any of the social-cognitive, behavioural or environmental variables. Source of knowledge about the Canada on the Move website between one-time and multi-time users was not significantly different.ConclusionThe Canada on the Move website presents a viable approach to reaching diverse demographic groups. Further work needs to be undertaken to: 1) develop engaging websites; 2) detail the monitoring of the web-based access information; 3) integrate the website with other organizations promoting physical activity; and 4) expand the number of recruitment sources.Electronic Supplementary MaterialSupplementary material is available for this article at 10.1007/BF03405362 and is accessible for authorized users.

SUBMITTER: Plotnikoff RC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6975823 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Falls is a common and debilitating condition among the older population, intensifying the need to educate older persons about falls. Technology advancement enables effective and efficient delivery of falls education to the older population. However, there is paucity of information on the perception of Malaysian older population on falls and their preferred website characteristics such as font size, design, layout, colour, navigation, and use of graphics or videos. Physiological changes in vision, cognition and psychomotor skills can affect how the older persons use the website. As Malaysia is a multicultural country, the needs of the website characteristics and falls perception of older persons may differ greatly. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of the older persons about falls and their desired website characteristics. Twenty-five community-living older persons (n = 25) of age 60 years and above were involved in the focus group discussions. NvivoTM software was used for data management and thematic analysis was undertaken. Emerging themes included 'Perceptions of falls in older persons', 'Actions taken when falls occurred', 'Perceived prevention strategies for falls' and 'End user requirements for falls educational website'. Falls were perceived as both an avoidable and a non-avoidable incident. Although the participants mentioned physical activity and home hazard modifications as strategies to prevent falls, they mainly discussed self-initiated precautionary approaches in falls prevention. Regarding desired website characteristics, the participants emphasized on easily readable text, appealing design, clear information, use of images/videos, and simple website navigation. Special requirements for colour selection and multi-language options were also raised. The delivery of falls education through website can be made possible by understanding the perception of older persons about falls and their requirements for the website. This is especially important as ethnic and cultural influences may play a role on their perceptions about falls and desired website characteristics.

Project description:Web-based behavioral programs efficiently disseminate health information to a broad population, and online tailoring may increase their effectiveness. While the number of Internet-based behavioral interventions has grown in the last several years, additional information is needed to understand the characteristics of subjects who enroll in these interventions, relative to those subjects who are invited to enroll.The aim of the study was to compare the characteristics of participants who enrolled in an online dietary intervention trial (MENU) with those who were invited but chose not to participate, in order to better understand how these groups differ.The MENU trial was conducted among five health plans participating in the HMO Cancer Research Network in collaboration with the University of Michigan Center for Health Communication Research. Approximately 6000 health plan members per site, between the ages of 21 and 65, and stratified by gender with oversampling of minority populations, were randomly selected for recruitment and were mailed an invitation letter containing website information and a US$2 bill with the promise of US$20 for completing follow-up surveys. Administrative and area-based data using geocoding along with baseline survey data were used to compare invitees (HMO members sent the introductory letter), responders (those who entered a study ID on the website), and enrollees (those who completed the enrollment process). Generalized estimating equation multivariate and logistic regression models were used to assess predictors of response and enrollment.Of 28,460 members invited to participate, 4270 (15.0%) accessed the website. Of the eligible responders, 2540 (8.9%) completed the consent form and baseline survey and were enrolled and randomized. The odds of responding were 10% lower for every decade of increased age (P < .001), while the likelihood of enrolling was 10% higher for every decade increase in age (P < .001). Women were more likely to respond and to enroll (P < .001). Those living in a census tract associated with higher education levels were more likely to respond and enroll, as well as those residing in tracts with higher income (P < .001). With a 22% (n = 566) enrollment rate for African Americans and 8% (n = 192) for Hispanics, the enrolled sample was more racially and ethnically diverse than the background sampling frame.Relative to members invited to participate in the Internet-based intervention, those who enrolled were more likely to be older and live in census tracts associated with higher socioeconomic status. While oversampling of minority health plan members generated an enrolled sample that was more racially and ethnically diverse than the overall health plan population, additional research is needed to better understand methods that will expand the penetration of Internet interventions into more socioeconomically diverse populations.Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00169312; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00169312 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/5jB50xSfU).

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Characteristics of Participants Visiting the Canada on the Move Website.

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