Use of Internet viral marketing to promote smoke-free lifestyles among Chinese adolescents.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Youth smoking is a global public health concern. Health educators are increasingly using Internet-based technologies, but the effectiveness of Internet viral marketing in promoting health remains uncertain. This prospective pilot study assessed the efficacy of an online game-based viral marketing campaign in promoting a smoke-free attitude among Chinese adolescents.

Methods

One hundred and twenty-one Hong Kong Chinese adolescents aged 10 to 24 were invited to participate in an online multiple-choice quiz game competition designed to deliver tobacco-related health information. Participants were encouraged to refer others to join. A zero-inflated negative binomial model was used to explore the factors contributing to the referral process. Latent transition analysis uti

SUBMITTER: Ip P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4049615 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature