A feasibility test of a brief educational intervention to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among callers to the Cancer Information Service.
BACKGROUND
In this paper, results are reported from a pilot study designed to test the feasibility of a proactive educational intervention delivered to callers of the Cancer Information Service (CIS).


METHODS
The study used a randomized two-group design (intervention vs control). Callers assigned to the intervention condition received a brief educational intervention at the end of usual service to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. As part of the intervention, key education messages and materials drawn from the 5 A Day for Better Health program of the National Cancer Institute were provided to CIS callers over the telephone and then reinforced with two follow-up mailings.


RESULTS
Results from this pilot study indicated high levels of adherence to protocol by CIS Information Specialists who delivered the intervention to eligible CIS callers. Results obtained from the 4-week telephone follow-up interviews indicated that intervention subjects (n = 142) reported higher consumption of fruits and vegetables, averaging approximately 0.75 servings more per day (P < 0.01) than control subjects (n = 134).


CONCLUSIONS
Nearly 80% of CIS callers endorsed the strategy of providing 5 A Day information at the end of usual service, even if such information was not specifically requested by the caller (i.e., the information was provided to CIS callers proactively.
Marcus
A C
AC
AMC Cancer Research Center, Denver, Colorado 80214, USA.
Morra
M
M
Rimer
B K
BK
Stricker
M
M
Heimendinger
J
J
Wolfe
P
P
Darrow
S L
SL
Hamilton
L
L
Cox
D S
DS
Miller
N
N
Perocchia
R S
RS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014675:Vegetables