Pilot Study for Youth Participatory Video Production Program for Smoking Prevention

Background: Youth smoking is a serious public health concern, but early successes in its prevention have been difficult to sustain. There is growing evidence that digital media shows promise for attracting young people as well as effectiveness for youth health promotion programs.

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to develop a youth smoking prevention program using the participatory video making strategies, under the youth empowerment framework. The specific aims of this pilot study were twofold: (1) to evaluate the feasibility of the youth participatory video making program for smoking prevention by assessing participants’ attendance rate, total time and resources needed, and reasons for participation, and program satisfaction and (2) to examine how youth participatory video making enhances participants’ psychological empowerment for tobacco control, and changes participants’ individual smoking behaviors, including intention to smoke and behavior for non-smoking.

Methods: A mixed method study design, following a concurrent embedded experimental model was used. Twenty-three youths (10 to 14 years old) participated in the video production program in eight sessions over four weeks at a local youth community center in a low-income neighborhood. The attendance rate, time, and resources for the program, reasons for participation, and program satisfaction were explored using multiple data sources, including checklist, interviews, and survey. Changes in psychological empowerment and smoking intention were assessed with pre- and post-intervention surveys (YGMS; Holden et al., 2004 and modified YBRSS; CDC, 2004). Quantitative test and descriptive qualitative analysis were conducted.

Results: Participants produced four videos about anti-smoking messages; 69.6% of participants rated this program as excellent, and 75% reported that it met their expectation. The attendance rate was 73.4%. The program enhanced the level of psychological empowerment and intention not to smoke (p < 0.05). Participants’ discussion of experiences in the program revealed three themes: (1) active engagement, (2) personal growth and healthy development, and (3) agentic participation for a healthy community.

Discussion: This study described the feasibility of interactive use of technology for youth tobacco control. The findings provided promise for engaging young people as nonsmokers and empowering them to become anti-tobacco advocates in their communities.