Developing evidence-based health promotion interventions

Increased health behaviours among young people could reduce national health costs. Brief cost-effective interventions that can be easily administered and replicated are especially likely to be adopted. Focusing on modifiable cognitive antecedents of behaviour is likely to maximise the effectiveness of behaviour change interventions. The theory ofplanned behaviour (TPB) is the most widely applied model of cognitive antecedents of behaviour but there have been surprising few tests ofthe theory in trials ofTPB-based behaviour change interventions. Three studies tested the utility of the TPB as a basis for the design ofhealth promotion leaflets targeting condom use and regular exercise among young people. Study 1 reports a randomised controlled trial (RCn ofan extended TPB-based leaflet plus quiz and motivational incentive designed to promote condom use and preparatory behaviours amongst young people. The intervention promoted pro-condom use cognitions and preparatory actions, compared to a control condition but did not increase condom use. Study 2 reports the results ofa ReT conducted to evaluate the effect of a TPBbased leaflet designed to encourage young people to exercise. The leaflet was evaluated on its own, in combination with a quiz and motivational incentive and in combination with an implementation intention forrmition activity. Results revealed no significant differences in cognitions or behaviour between the three intervention groups when compared to the control. This is discussed in terms of ceiling effects in the target behaviour (exercise).EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo