BACKGROUND
Drinking alcohol among adolescents is a public health problem in many countries. Evidence-based research has shown that the successful adoption of health interventions is positively related to a successful implementation program; nevertheless, limited resources exist regarding which are the factors influencing the uptake decision to use preventive school-based programs, and even fewer concerning interventions using computer-tailored (CT) technology addressing alcohol consumption in adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
The current study aims to identify factors influencing the adoption of Alcohol Alerta – a computer-tailored eHealth alcohol prevention program - to increase the likelihood of voluntary adoption. Frameworks such as Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory (DIT) and the Integrated Change Model (ICM) were used as theoretical bases for understanding the adoption process.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study employing an exploratory sequential mixed methods research design following a development mixing purpose was carried out. Interviews were conducted with ten school counselors. Descriptive data were identified and coded based on the predefined research questions and theoretical model following a theoretical thematic coding approach. The qualitative research findings were used for developing an online quantitative questionnaire (N = 100) with Spanish school personnel including the school management team, school counselors, and teachers.
RESULTS
School personnel with strong intention to adopt the program (intenders) perceived significantly more advantages and positive innovation attributes than those participants with weaker intention to adopt (non-intenders). Intenders perceived a higher personal relevance towards the use of the program, more self-efficacy and positive social influences from their colleagues, and a greater agreement in preparing action plans than the non-intenders group. Advantages and social support were found to significantly explain a portion of the variance in the adoption intention.
CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the importance of motivational factors influencing the intention of adopting an innovation. Based on the study results, it is suggested that health intervention researchers develop strategies tailored to enhance educators' pro-innovation attitudes, perceived personal relevance and responsibility, and perceived ease of use towards adopting an eHealth program. Furthermore, ensuring a supportive environment towards the acceptance of the intervention among the school personnel and planning specific actions pursuing the goal intention to use the program are crucial elements to optimize adoption promotion and, therefore, foster dissemination of eHealth programs in school settings.