Evaluation of a web-based randomized controlled trial educational intervention based on media literacy on preventing substance abuse among college students, applying the integrated social marketing approach: a study protocol

• Published in: Current controlled trials in cardiovascular medicine 2022-12, Vol.23 (1), p.1006-11, Article 1006
• Main Authors: Jormand, Hanieh, Bashirian, Saeed, Barati, Majid, Rezapur-Shahkolai, Forouzan, Babamiri, Mohammad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Addictive behaviors; Adolescent; College students; Colleges & universities; Demographic aspects; Ecosystem; Evaluation; Health aspects; Humans; Internet; Intervention; Media literacy; Media literacy education; Online education; Prevention; Randomized controlled trial; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk factors; Social Marketing; Social networks; Students - psychology; Study Protocol; Substance abuse; Substance-Related Disorders - prevention & control; Technology application; Web-based program; youth
• ISSN: 1745-6215; 1745-6215
• DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06913-6

Substance abuse is the actual psychosocial harm, especially in young people confronted with content marketing in nowadays media environment, a risk factor for experiencing substance abuse. Based on the literature review, education designed based on the cognitive-behavioral model and planning models, such as using a social marketing framework, is the most effective method to prevent addictive substance abuse. Also, media literacy related to substance abuse and the prototype willingness model is considered a new integrated approach to present the intervention measures' desired results. The present study evaluates an intervention program based on media literacy on substance abuse prevention among students using an integrated social marketing approach. This study aims to complete the SMART model's sixth and seventh stages, implementing intervention and evaluation. Participants will be students of Hamadan University, Iran. Randomization will occur at the university and school levels, and gathered data will appear at two-time (i.e., pre-test and three months follow-up). Intervention group students will obtain both substance abuse prevention education and substance abuse media literacy (SAML) education between pre-test and 3 months post-test. Students in the delayed intervention will be given this education after study accomplishment; this group will receive their regular courses except for substance abuse prevention and media literacy titles during education intervention. The outcome variables are intentions and substance abuse behavior based on prototype willingness and substance abuse media literacy. Evaluation of Substance abuse prevention and substance abuse media literacy education must be careful to ensure that they effectively enable people, especially in youth in the new media ecology and unique "Infomedia" ecosystems, in the current digital society. The SAML education plan's evaluation has the first web-based education program in universities. No prior research has psychometrically considered SAML in students in the SMART model's sixth and seventh stages. IRCT20200914048719N1 . Registered on June 30, 2021.