Acceptance of Web-based personalized feedback: user ratings of an alcohol misuse prevention program targeting U.S. Marines.

The use of Web-based programs for a variety of health education, risk reduction, and health promotion purposes can be a valuable tool in the effort to improve the health of a population. Providing theory-based personalized feedback through such a method can be particularly useful in alcohol misuse prevention efforts. A brief alcohol use feedback program was developed for members of the U.S. Marine Corps, and user-satisfaction ratings were collected from 167 participants. Approximately 44% of the sample found the program to be useful or very useful, and 46% of the sample reported that they were likely or very likely to recommend the Web site to others. The Web-based format with tailored responses was preferred by 85% of respondents over other more traditional methods of alcohol training, and 80% of participants felt that the feedback was appropriate for Marines in their community. Significantly higher usefulness, likelihood of recommending the program to others, and overall ratings of the program were reported among younger and nonheavy-drinking participants (p < .05). Results indicate that this computerized assessment and feedback program is a promising mechanism with which to provide personalized alcohol misuse prevention information.

Aircraft type and diagnosed back disorders in U.S. Navy pilots and aircrew.

BACKGROUND: Back disorders have long been recognized as a serious problem within the military aviation community and a possible threat to mission accomplishment. The purpose of the present study was to determine the extent to which the type of aircraft flown is associated with diagnosed back problems, and to examine differences in the prevalence of back disorders between pilots and aircrew. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in which U.S. Navy pilots and aircrew members with a diagnosed back disorder on their most recent physical exam between 1991 and 1993 were compared with pilots and aircrew without such diagnoses. Data were obtained from the automated physical examination records maintained by the Naval Operational Medicine Institute for all Naval aviation personnel. RESULTS: Results showed that aircrew members have a higher risk of diagnosed back problems than pilots for both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The study revealed that flight engineers have a higher risk of diagnosed back problems than other aircrew members. Among pilots, no association was found between type of aircraft and diagnosed back problems.