Effect evaluation of computer-tailored information combined with personal counseling on adolescents’ behaviors and psychosocial problems: E-health4Uth, a randomized controlled trial.

Adolescents are developing rapidly. Adolescents develop their own identity and their own role in society. This complex development goes well often, but sometimes there are problems, at home, school, or on a personal level. Estimates of the percentage of youth with psychosocial problems, which may be associated with suicidal ideation or suicide (attempts), range from 16 to 25%. There may be problems with drinking, especially outside the big cities, or problems with drug or other lifestyle behaviors. At school, high pressure is put on young people who want and should achieve their diploma or qualification. Some problems can directly lead to absence and school dropout, with vast personal and societal consequences. Other problems may have negative effects on later health.



In the Netherlands, adolescents have their last regular consult with the school nurse at 13 year or in second grade of secondary education. Given the above considerations, there is a big commitment at national en regional level, for an additional consult with the school nurse at 15/16 year.



The objective of this project is to evaluate the effect of two interventions at age 15/16 years (fourth grade) compared with the current situation (i.e. no point of contact 15 / 16 years).



Adolescents are randomized into one of three groups:

1. Adolescents will access the computer-tailored health education program through the internet. After completion of the assessment questions, the program compiles a tailored health advice to the adolescent;

2. Adolescents will access the computer-tailored health education program through the internet. After completion of the assessment questions, the program compiles a tailored health advice to the adolescent. On the basis of risk identification, a part of the adolescents will be invited for a consultation with the school nurse;

3. Usual care.



About 400 adolescents will be included in each group. Psychosocial problems and lifestyle behavior will be measured in all groups before and four months after the intervention. In both intervention groups also an evaluation questionnaire about the tailored health advice will be completed by the adolescents.



Data collection will be organized from September 2012 until June 2013.

Computer-tailored information (without personal counseling) and computer-tailored information combined with personal counseling results in:

1. Less psychosocial problems;

2. Less risky behavior (alcohol and drug use, smoking, safe sex).
Compared with usual care.

Time points measurements:

1. Baseline questionnaire (at the start of the training);

2. Follow-up questionnaire (after 4 months).

Adolescents are randomized into one of three groups:

1. Adolescents will access the computer-tailored health education program through the internet. After completion of the assessment questions, the program compiles a tailored health advice to the adolescent;

2. Adolescents will access the computer-tailored health education program through the internet. After completion of the assessment questions, the program compiles a tailored health advice to the adolescent. On the basis of risk identification, a part of the adolescents will be invited for a consultation with the school nurse;

3. Usual care.