| Learning Objective #1: Describe how computer tailoring can be utilized to provide health care information | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Discuss the feasibility of using the Internet to conduct women's health research |
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of computer-tailored information for hormone replacement therapy delivered via a web site on women’s intentions to continue or begin use of hormone replacement therapy for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
Design:
This study utilized a randomized controlled trial.
Population, Sample, Setting, Years:
A snowball sample of 208 consenting women, ages 40 to 60, was recruited by e-mail, flyer, and word of mouth directly from the Internet.
Concept or Variables Studied Together and Outcome Variables:
The experimental group received information about osteoporosis and hormone replacement therapy that was computer-tailored for each woman based on her individual response to the Champion Health Belief Model Scale; those in the control group received non-tailored information. The outcome studied was women’s intention to continue or begin use of hormone replacement therapy.
Methods:
Logistic regression analysis was used to test the influence of computer-tailoring on women’s intentions to continue or begin use of hormone replacement therapy.
Findings:
Women who received non-tailored information were more likely to intend to use HRT than women who received tailored information.
Conclusions:
Internet technology can provide an opportunity for women to increase their knowledge and to make health care treatment decisions. Furthermore, computer-tailoring may be an effective way to facilitate health education via the Internet.
Implications:
While findings from this study do not support tailoring information regarding hormone replacement therapy, the results provide strategies for future research to determine the effectiveness of tailored information. Researchers must continue to evaluate the use of the Internet to determine its feasibility and effectiveness a research methodology. This study was conducted prior to findings from the Women’s Health Initiative when hormone replacement therapy was readily prescribed for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
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Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004