ABSTRACT
A successful occupational sun-protection program was translated to 67 ski areas where the effectiveness of two dissemination
strategies was assessed. An industry professional association distributed materials to the resorts. Half of the resorts received
the basic dissemination strategy (BDS) in which the materials were simply distributed to the resorts. In a randomized trial,
the BDS was compared with an enhanced dissemination strategy (EDS) that added interpersonal contact with managers. Employees
(n = 2,228) at worksites that received the EDS had elevated program exposure (74.0% at EDS vs. 57.5% at BDS recalled a message).
Exposure increased at two levels of program use: from less than four (55% exposed) to four to eight (68%) and to nine or more
(82%) program items in use. More employees exposed to messages engaged in sun-safety behaviors than those unexposed. At worksites
using nine or more items (versus 4–8 or <4), employees engaged in additional sun-safety behaviors. Program effects were strongly
mediated by increased self-efficacy. Partnerships with industry associations facilitate dissemination of evidence-based programs.
Dissemination methods are needed to maximize implementation and exposure to reduce health risk behaviors.
strategies was assessed. An industry professional association distributed materials to the resorts. Half of the resorts received
the basic dissemination strategy (BDS) in which the materials were simply distributed to the resorts. In a randomized trial,
the BDS was compared with an enhanced dissemination strategy (EDS) that added interpersonal contact with managers. Employees
(n = 2,228) at worksites that received the EDS had elevated program exposure (74.0% at EDS vs. 57.5% at BDS recalled a message).
Exposure increased at two levels of program use: from less than four (55% exposed) to four to eight (68%) and to nine or more
(82%) program items in use. More employees exposed to messages engaged in sun-safety behaviors than those unexposed. At worksites
using nine or more items (versus 4–8 or <4), employees engaged in additional sun-safety behaviors. Program effects were strongly
mediated by increased self-efficacy. Partnerships with industry associations facilitate dissemination of evidence-based programs.
Dissemination methods are needed to maximize implementation and exposure to reduce health risk behaviors.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Research
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s13142-011-0101-8
- Authors
- Peter A Andersen, School of Communication, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
- David B Buller, Klein Buendel Inc., Golden, CO, USA
- Barbara J Walkosz, Klein Buendel Inc., Golden, CO, USA
- Michael D Scott, Mikonics Inc., Auburn, CA, USA
- Ilima L Kane, Klein Buendel Inc., Golden, CO, USA
- Gary R Cutter, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Mark B Dignan, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
- Xia Liu, Klein Buendel Inc., Golden, CO, USA
- Journal Translational Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1613-9860
- Print ISSN 1869-6716