OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of inviting teenagers to general practice consultations to discuss health behaviour concerns and appropriate follow up care. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial, with participants randomised to a consultation (intervention) or usual care (control). Questionnaires completed at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months. SETTING:Eight general practices in Hertfordshire, England. PARTICIPANTS: 1516 teenagers aged 14-15 years. INTERVENTION: Consultations with practice nurses to discuss health concerns and develop plans for healthier lifestyles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mental and physical health, "stage of change" for health related behaviour, and use of health services. RESULTS: At baseline 970 teenagers completed questionnaires; 23% smoked, 35% had been drunk in the previous three months, 64% considered they ate unhealthily, 39% took little exercise, and 36% had possible depression. 41% (304) of teenagers invited attended for a consultation; over one third (112) were offered follow up care. More intervention group teenagers reported positive movement in stage of change for diet and exercise and in at least one of four behaviours (diet, exercise, smoking, drinking alcohol) at 3 months (41% v 31%, P<0.01), but this did not persist at 12 months. There was marginally more positive change in actual behaviour by intervention teenagers at 3 months (16% v 12%, P=0.06). Recognition of possible depression resulted in improved mental health outcomes at 3 and 12 months. 97% of attenders said they would recommend the intervention to a friend. CONCLUSIONS:Change in behaviour was slight but encouraging, and the intervention was well received and relatively cheap.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of inviting teenagers to general practice consultations to discuss health behaviour concerns and appropriate follow up care. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial, with participants randomised to a consultation (intervention) or usual care (control). Questionnaires completed at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months. SETTING: Eight general practices in Hertfordshire, England. PARTICIPANTS: 1516 teenagers aged 14-15 years. INTERVENTION: Consultations with practice nurses to discuss health concerns and develop plans for healthier lifestyles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mental and physical health, "stage of change" for health related behaviour, and use of health services. RESULTS: At baseline 970 teenagers completed questionnaires; 23% smoked, 35% had been drunk in the previous three months, 64% considered they ate unhealthily, 39% took little exercise, and 36% had possible depression. 41% (304) of teenagers invited attended for a consultation; over one third (112) were offered follow up care. More intervention group teenagers reported positive movement in stage of change for diet and exercise and in at least one of four behaviours (diet, exercise, smoking, drinking alcohol) at 3 months (41% v 31%, P<0.01), but this did not persist at 12 months. There was marginally more positive change in actual behaviour by intervention teenagers at 3 months (16% v 12%, P=0.06). Recognition of possible depression resulted in improved mental health outcomes at 3 and 12 months. 97% of attenders said they would recommend the intervention to a friend. CONCLUSIONS: Change in behaviour was slight but encouraging, and the intervention was well received and relatively cheap.
Authors: Parisa Amiri; Fazlollah Ghofranipour; Fazlollah Ahmadi; Farhad Hosseinpanah; Ali Montazeri; Sara Jalali-Farahani; Ali Rastegarpour Journal: Int J Public Health Date: 2010-02-09 Impact factor: 3.380
Authors: Bobbi Jo H Yarborough; Lynn L DeBar; Philip Wu; John Pearson; Victor J Stevens Journal: Clin Pediatr (Phila) Date: 2012-09-10 Impact factor: 1.168
Authors: Joanna Tully; Russell M Viner; Pietro G Coen; James M Stuart; Maria Zambon; Catherine Peckham; Clare Booth; Nigel Klein; Ed Kaczmarski; Robert Booy Journal: BMJ Date: 2006-02-10