Using Computer-Based Assessments to Evaluate Interactive Multimedia Nutrition Education Among Low-Income Predominantly Hispanic Participants

This research was conducted to measure the effectiveness of interactive multimedia (IMM) with low-income Hispanic persons. The effectiveness of the program was examined using a quasi-experimental pretest/post-test control group design. Subjects were recruited from nutrition, health, and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs in Colorado. Thirty-six intervention and 34 control participants formed a convenience sample of low-income and predominantly Hispanic persons. Intervention participants received a 15-minute module about breakfast. Control participants received a non– nutrition-related IMM module. Primary variables included knowledge, attitude, and stage of change scores. Paired and independent sample t tests, chi-square analysis, and repeated-measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used. Intervention participants significantly increased knowledge, attitude, and total scores ( P < .001) between pretest and post-test and had significantly greater increases than the control group ( P < .001). The results support using IMM to disseminate nutrition education to the target population and the feasibility of using computer-based questionnaires to evaluate the effectiveness of IMM nutrition education programs. This research provides the basis for the continued development of computer-based assessment tools.