title: An Initial Evaluation of Web-Based Opioid Overdose Education.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fatal opioid overdose is a significant public health concern in the United States. One approach to reducing fatalities is expanding overdose response education to broader audiences. This study examined responses to a web-based overdose education tool.
  
  
  METHODS
  The results of 422 anonymous surveys submitted on www.stopoverdose.org were analyzed for participant demographics, knowledge of opioid overdose recognition and response, and knowledge of Washington's Good Samaritan overdose law. Characteristics, knowledge, and planned behavior of respondents with professional versus personal interest in overdose education were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most respondents were age 35 or older (57%) and female (65%). The mean score on the knowledge quiz for overdose recognition and response items was 16.2 out of 18, and 1.5 out of 2 possible points for items concerning the law. Respondents indicating professional interest were significantly more likely to be 35 or older (p = .001) and to have received prior overdose education (p < .001), but less likely to know someone at risk for opioid overdose (p < .001) or report planning to obtain take-home naloxone (p < .001). No significant differences were found in overdose knowledge scores between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Online training may be effective among individuals with professional and personal interest in overdose, as general knowledge scores of overdose response were high among both groups. Lower scores reflecting knowledge of the law suggest that the web-based training may not have adequately presented this information. Overall, results suggest that a web-based platform may be a promising approach to basic overdose education.
authors.affiliation: a Social Development Research Group , University of Washington , Seattle , Washington , USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Roe
authors.affiliation: b Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute , University of Washington , Seattle , Washington , USA.
authors.forename: Caleb J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Banta-Green
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000506:poisoning*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D035846:Law Enforcement; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009270:Naloxone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States; D014861:Washington; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009270:Naloxone
keywords: Heroin; online education; opioid; overdose