Darker, Catherine D and Moore, Emma and Flynn, Ellen and O'Neill, Mary and Doherty, Lena and McMahon, Jean and McLoughlin, Orla and Rouine, Eimear and Ivers, Jo-Hanna and Allwright, Shane and McGrath, David and Seery, Aidan and McAndrew, Martin and Barrett, Emer and Tanner, Michelle and Bennett, Annemarie E and Brennan, Sabina and Mullin, Martina and Barry, Joe M (2022) Development and proposed evaluation of an eHealth learning tool for undergraduate university students in Ireland. Health Promotion International, 37, (1), daab071. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daab071.
External website: https://academic.oup.com/heapro/article/37/1/daab0...
Undergraduate university students are at a critical stage of development in terms of their academic, social, psychological and behavioural health. Patterns established during these formative years can last a lifetime. eHealth tools have the potential to be engaging, convenient and accessible to a wide range of students by providing health information and enhancing the uptake of positive health behaviours. The 'Healthy Trinity Online Tool' (H-TOT) was developed in collaboration with students and a transdisciplinary team with decades of experience between them in terms of research, clinical responsibility and service delivery. Developmental steps undertaken included: a literature review to formulate the topic content choices; a survey of students to check the relevance and suitability of topics identified; and, the tacit experience of the development team. This co-design model led to the development of content encompassing academic life, healthy eating, physical activity, mood, financial matters, alcohol, tobacco, drugs and relaxation. Qualitative focus groups were subsequently conducted for in-depth exploration of the usage and functionality of H-TOT. The theoretical underpinnings include the locus of control and social cognitive theory. Evidence-based behavioural change techniques are embedded throughout. During early pre-piloting of H-TOT, the team identified and solved content functionality problems. The tone of the content was also revised to ensure it was non-judgemental. To make the H-TOT as interactive as possible, video scenarios were included and all content was audio-recorded to allow playback for students with visual or learning difficulties. Evaluation plans for the pilot year of H-TOT are outlined.
B Substances > Tobacco (cigarette smoking)
E Concepts in biomedical areas > Nutrition / Diet
G Health and disease > State of health / wellbeing
G Health and disease > Disease by cause (Aetiology) > Communicable / infectious disease > Sexually transmitted infection / disease
G Health and disease > Behavioural and mental health disorder (Psychosis / mood)
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Health related issues > Health information and education > Communicable / infectious disease control > Safe sex / sexual health
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Health related issues > Health information and education
L Social psychology and related concepts > Life circumstances > Financial (money) difficulties / debt
MP-MR Policy, planning, economics, work and social services > Programme planning, implementation, and evaluation > Programme evaluation
N Communication, information and education > Telehealth / Telemedicine / mHealth / eHealth
N Communication, information and education > Educational environment / institution (school / college / university)
N Communication, information and education > Educational environment / institution (school / college / university) > Student behaviour
T Demographic characteristics > Undergraduate or graduate college student
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