Transcript Problematic Drinking Among College Students

Integrating mHealth Mobile Applications to
Reduce High Risk Drinking Among Underage
Students
Donna M. Kazemi, Ph.D.
Allyson R. Cochran, MPH
John F. Kelly, Ph.D.
Judith B. Cornelius, Ph.D
Catherine Belk, MSN
Alcohol High-Risk Drinking Issues:
Some Important Facts

Freshmen binge drink and use Illicit drug at higher rates
than non-freshmen.1,2,3,4,5,6

First 6 to 8 weeks critical transition period new
independence, living arrangements, peer pressure,
psychosocial factors, accessibility to outlets.7,8,9,10

Blackouts, mental health problems, assaults,
unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, rape,
suicides, violence, STI’s, and automobile accidents. 6,7,8
mHealth Applications: Some Important
Facts

Mobile health (mhealth) is a term commonly used in association with
mobile communication devices, such as mobile phones. 11

mHealth communication devices are used to deliver health services
and information through technology .11

College students embrace Mobile Cell Phones (MCPs) as their
primary communication and entertainment device.12

mhealth may be an effective way to reach and engage college-age
students with alcohol intervention .13,14
Aim of the Study

The aim of this study was to investigate college
student’s perceptions toward using mHealth technology
to deliver interventions to prevent high risk drinking and
associated consequences.

Explore the feasibility of delivering alcohol interventions
to underage college students using mHealth technology.

To offer suggestions for future research on the use of
mHealth technology with college students.
BASICS

NIH NIAAA task force rated Brief Alcohol Screening and
Intervention of College Students (BASICS) Tier 1
intervention for college students.15

BASICS with college students includes cognitivebehavioral skills training, brief motivational interventions,
and challenging alcohol expectancies.16

BASICS has demonstrated effectiveness in decreasing
high-risk drinking among college students.17,18
Research Findings Summary

Limited research on the effects of mHealth
interventions on behavioral changes among college
students.13,14

Few studies have investigated the use of mobile
technologies to address college students’ drinking.
These studies used computer screens and handheld
devices for electronic interviews. 19,20

Need for more empirical support for BASICS delivery
with technology.
Design of the Study:

Moderated focus groups were conducted with BASICS
participants who had completed the face-to-face
program for over 1 year (Baseline, 2 weeks, 3, 6, 12
months sessions)

12 questions were developed to obtain views of the
focus groups on the use of mHealth technology to deliver
the BASICS intervention.

Participants (N=26) were college juniors between the
ages of 19 and 21, mostly Caucasian and female (30%
males).
Participants Demographic Characteristics
Study Method

Focus groups were 60 minutes and were audiotaped,
moderator asked the same sequence of questions.

Codebook thematic analysis of the content in the
transcriptions was used to analyze the data. 21

Three examiners independently read and coded each of
the focus group transcripts.

Master list of themes was developed with supporting
extracts from the transcripts.
RESULTS: Major Themes and Subthemes
Summary of Study Findings

Students identified practical applications of mHealth to alcohol
interventions.

Expressed interest in specific features provided by mobile app;
BAC, Alcohol and health facts, Alcohol drink-tracking.

Most preferred face-to-face session for initial meetings. Social
networking produced mixed responses, concerns expressed for
confidentiality.

All indicated they would participate in a BASICS intervention using
mHealth technology.
Study Limitations

More women (73%) than men in the focus groups of men
(27%) and the junior year status of all participants.

All focus group participants were active in BASICS
intervention program.

Participants understanding of technology applications
may be limited.
Study Implications

Technology using mHealth offers a possible shift in the current
clinical practice paradigm.

The potential exists for creating novel treatment interventions pairing
mHealth technologies with face-to-face modalities.

Potential cost savings by taking advantage of students’ technology.

Future research should explore the use of mobile technologies to
provide intervention for students engaging in high risk drinking.

Future research should explore the issues with participants who are
not active in face-to-face BASICS program.
References
1Barrett,
S. P., Darredeau, C., & Pihl, R. O. (2006). Patterns of simultaneous
polysubstance use in drug using university students. Human Psychopharmacology:
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2Caldeira,
K. M., Arria, A. M., O’Grady, K. E., Vincent, K. B., & Wish, E. D. (2008). The
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8Lindsay,
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References
9Timberlake,
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10Westmaas,
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11Free,
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12Robinson,
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students. Retrieved from http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/generation-mobile%3Acellphone-use-overwhelming-in-college-students.
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16Baer,
J. S., Kivlahan, D. R., Blume, A. W., McKnight, P., & Marlatt, G. A. (2001). Brief
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References
17Dimeff,
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18Larimer,
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20Mays,
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