Nutrition information to the desktop: a pilot online nutrition course on saturated fat for public librarians increases knowledge, expectancies, and self-efficacy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of an online course for public librarians on helping patrons reduce saturated fat.


METHODS
Pre- and posttest design along with a 6-month follow-up survey.


METHODS
Online nutrition course.


METHODS
100 (8 males, 92 females) completed the course, and 29 completed the follow-up survey.


METHODS
Completion of an online course.


METHODS
Self-efficacy, expectancies, and knowledge were assessed at pre- and posttest. Self-efficacy, expectancies, and use of course content were assessed at 6-month follow-up.


METHODS
Paired-samples t tests.


RESULTS
Knowledge increased significantly (P < .001). Self-efficacy significantly (P < .001) increased from the pre- to posttest, and this increase remained significant at the 6-month follow-up as compared to pretest (P < .001). Expectancies also increased significantly from pre- to posttest (P < .001) and remained high at 6 months, but they were not significantly different from baseline (P = .178). At 6-month follow-up, 39% of the participants had used the information from the course to find resources for a patron with a health-related question, and 82% had used the information from the course to help a friend or family member.


CONCLUSIONS
This small pilot study with librarians shows that an online course can be an effective way to increase self-efficacy about helping patrons with nutrition-related questions.
School of Public Health, Nutrition Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7461, USA. brie@unc.edu
Gabrielle M
GM
Turner-McGrievy
Marci K
MK
Campbell
D000328:Adult; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D016245:Librarians / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020377:Self Efficacy
D004041:Dietary Fats