JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

There is a critical need for effective health education methods for adolescent smoking prevention. The use of technology such as digital media shows promising results for adolescent health education.

Objective:

This study explored whether a digital media production program for smoking prevention could empower youth participants for tobacco control. A participatory eight-session digital media production program was implemented in a low income neighborhood.

Methods:

A mixed methods design with a concurrent embedded approach was used. Twenty three adolescents participated in the program. During the intervention program, small groups of participants used video cameras and laptops to produce video clips containing an anti-smoking message. Quantitative data was analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed Rank test to examine changes in the psychological empowerment level from pre-intervention to post-intervention, and qualitative interview data was analyzed using content analysis.

Results:

Pre- and post-comparison data revealed that participants’ psychological empowerment level was significantly enhanced for all three domains of psychological empowerment (p <0.05). Interviews confirmed that the digital media production program empowered participants by supporting non-smoking behaviors and providing them with an opportunity to help build a smoke-free community.

Conclusions:

Both quantitative and qualitative data supports that digital media production empowers adolescents and is effective for smoking prevention. Using video devices and a digital media production process were beneficial health education methods.