Work

Moderating effects of socioeconomic status and geographical location on the Health4Life school-based intervention

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: - in targeting alcohol and tobacco use, dietary intake, knowledge, behavioural intentions, and psychological distress over 24-months. Methods: cluster-randomised controlled trial conducted from 2019 to 2021 in 71 Australian secondary schools were analysed (N=6639; baseline age 11-14yrs). Schools were from metropolitan (89%) and regional (11%) areas, and participants' SES was classified as low (15%), mid (37%), and high (48%) relative to the study population. Primary outcomes included alcohol and tobacco use, and a composite indicator of poor diet. Secondary outcomes were knowledge, behavioural intentions, and psychological distress. Latent growth models assessed moderating effects of SES and geographical location on between-group change over 24-months. Results: Geographical location moderated the intervention's effect on odds of reporting a poor diet (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.32-2.43, p < 0.001) and diet-related behavioural intentions (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.56-0.89, p = 0.024) over time. Subset analyses indicated that intervention participants in regional areas had higher odds of reporting a poor diet (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.13-2.29, p = 0.008), while those in metropolitan areas had higher odds of improving diet-related behavioural intentions (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.01-1.27, p = 0.041), compared to the control group. No other significant moderation effects were observed. Conclusions: While significant disparities were generally not observed, the geographical differences in intervention effects on diet and diet-related intentions suggest that co-designed and tailored approaches may benefit disadvantaged adolescents to address the disproportionately high rates of lifestyle risk behaviours among these priority populations.

Source: Preventive Medicine Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2024.102855

Authors: Lyra Egan, Lauren A. Gardner, Nicola C. Newton, Siobhan O’Dean, Katrina E. Champion

Institution: The University of Sydney

Language: English

Topic: School Health and Nursing Education

Subfield: Speech and Hearing

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,720