Researchers from Maastricht University Report Recent Findings in Health Education Research.

New investigation results, 'Strategies to facilitate exposure to internet-delivered health behavior change interventions aimed at adolescents or young adults: a systematic review,' are detailed in a study published in Health Education & Behavior. According to recent research from Maastricht, Netherlands, "The Internet is considered to be a promising delivery channel of interventions aimed at promoting healthful behaviors, especially for adolescents and young adults. Exposure to these interventions, however, is generally low."

"A more extensive exploration of methods, strategies, and their effectiveness with regard to facilitating exposure is therefore timely, because this knowledge is crucial to improve the use of such interventions and, subsequently, to increase behavioral change. Therefore, a systematic review of the literature was conducted, resulting in 838 studies based on title selection, of which 26 studies met the eligibility criteria. The systematic review resulted in an overview of methods and strategies that have been used to facilitate exposure. Patterns of effective strategies could be observed, such as the combination of tailored communication and the use of reminders and incentives," wrote R. Crutzen and colleagues, Maastricht University.

The researchers concluded: "Nevertheless, exposure-specific theories need to be developed and objective exposure measures should be tracked and reported in future studies."

Crutzen and colleagues published their study in Health Education & Behavior (Strategies to facilitate exposure to internet-delivered health behavior change interventions aimed at adolescents or young adults: a systematic review. Health Education & Behavior, 2011;38(1):49-62).

For additional information, contact R. Crutzen, Maastricht University, CAPHRI, Maastricht, Netherlands.

Publisher contact information for the journal Health Education & Behavior is: SAGE Publications, USA , 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.

Keywords: City:Maastricht, Country:Netherlands, Health Education Research.

This article was prepared by Education Letter editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Education Letter via VerticalNews.com.