Native American youths and cancer risk reduction. Effects of software intervention.

PURPOSE

Toward developing attractive and effective means to reduce cancer risks faced by Native American people, this study developed and tested interactive computer software to improve dietary choices and prevent tobacco use among Native American adolescents.

METHODS

Based on a legend of the Seneca Nation, a cancer prevention lesson was developed and programmed for software. A sample of 368 Native American adolescents were divided randomly into intervention and control arms. Youths in both arms were pre-tested, youths in the intervention arm interacted with the software, and all youths were post-tested. Pre-test and post-test measures covered information and attitudes about cancer risks from dietary practices and tobacco use.

RESULTS

Pre-test scores differed between the two arms on youths' age and on one outcome variable. Relative to their counterparts in the control arm, youths in the intervention arm increased their post-test scores on 8 of 12 outcome measurement variables. Process data gathered during intervention delivery indicated that nearly all youths were involved with the interactive software and lesson.

CONCLUSION

Interactive computer software holds promise for delivering cancer risk reduction intervention aimed at modifying dietary habits and preventing tobacco use among Native American youth.