Evaluating the effectiveness of a multimedia program on home safety.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to test the effectiveness and acceptance of multimedia home safety programming by community-dwelling seniors.


METHODS
A prototype CD-ROM was produced that required no reading or computer skills because the program included an audio narration of content and directions for operating the program on a touchscreen computer monitor. Volunteers (N = 126) from a senior center aged 55 and older were randomly assigned to (1) a multimedia group that used the interactive program to learn about home safety, (2) a traditional learning group that read well-established booklets on home safety, and (3) a control group that received no instruction on safety between the pre- and posttests.


RESULTS
Repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance showed that the multimedia group was the only group to improve in knowledge. The group was also very satisfied with the approach.


CONCLUSIONS
Multimedia formats can effectively and economically provide information to older clients.
Sweeney
Mary Anne
MA
Strand Software, Galveston, TX, USA.
Chiriboga
David A
DA
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019212:Multimedia; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012449:Safety