PURPOSE: This study tested the effectiveness of two point-of-decision signs to increase stair use and investigated message content by comparing signs with general and specific messages. DESIGN: This study used a quasi-experimental time series design, including a 2-week baseline period: 2 weeks with a general message and 2 weeks with a specific message. SETTING: The signs were placed in an eight-story university building. SUBJECTS: The subjects comprised all adults entering the building. During the study, 2997 observations of stair/elevator choice were made. INTERVENTION: A stair-prompt sign with a general message and a sign with a specific message served as the interventions. MEASURES: Observers measured stair/elevator choice, demographics, and traffic volume. ANALYSIS: Logistic regression analyses were employed, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: The specific sign intervention showed significantly increased odds of stair use compared to baseline (odds ratio [OR] = 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.46-2.84). The odds of stair use were also significantly greater with the specific sign than the general sign (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.13-2.20). CONCLUSION: Only the specific sign significantly increased stair use. The results indicate that a specific message may be more effective at promoting stair use.
PURPOSE: This study tested the effectiveness of two point-of-decision signs to increase stair use and investigated message content by comparing signs with general and specific messages. DESIGN: This study used a quasi-experimental time series design, including a 2-week baseline period: 2 weeks with a general message and 2 weeks with a specific message. SETTING: The signs were placed in an eight-story university building. SUBJECTS: The subjects comprised all adults entering the building. During the study, 2997 observations of stair/elevator choice were made. INTERVENTION: A stair-prompt sign with a general message and a sign with a specific message served as the interventions. MEASURES: Observers measured stair/elevator choice, demographics, and traffic volume. ANALYSIS: Logistic regression analyses were employed, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: The specific sign intervention showed significantly increased odds of stair use compared to baseline (odds ratio [OR] = 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.46-2.84). The odds of stair use were also significantly greater with the specific sign than the general sign (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.13-2.20). CONCLUSION: Only the specific sign significantly increased stair use. The results indicate that a specific message may be more effective at promoting stair use.
Keywords:
Health Promotion; Health focus: fitness/physical activity; Manuscript format: research; Outcome measure: behavioral; Physical Fitness; Prevention Research; Research purpose: intervention testing/program evaluation; Setting: workplace, school (university); Strategy: education, built environment; Study design: Quasi-experimental; Target population age: adults; Target population circumstances: race/ethnicity; Wellness Programs; Workplace
Authors: Elizabeth A Dodson; J Aaron Hipp; Jung Ae Lee; Lin Yang; Christine M Marx; Rachel G Tabak; Ross C Brownson Journal: Am J Health Promot Date: 2016-11-03
Authors: Lars Donath; Oliver Faude; Yannick Schefer; Ralf Roth; Lukas Zahner Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2015-04-20 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Lorraine L Landais; Olga C Damman; Linda J Schoonmade; Danielle R M Timmermans; Evert A L M Verhagen; Judith G M Jelsma Journal: Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act Date: 2020-04-07 Impact factor: 6.457