If you want to get the honest lowdown from teens about their sexual activity, tobacco and drug use, and diet and exercise, a computer program may be the most effective tool. Kaiser Permanente has developed a colorful multimedia software program that guides 13- to 19-year-olds through a comprehensive point-and-click survey of various health behaviors.
The Choices and Changes CD-ROM quizzes teens in a confidential, non-threatening manner about their:
- diet and exercise;
- smoking and drug use;
- stress and depression levels; and
- sexual activity.
The survey takes up to an hour to complete.
The program is being used by several schools in Los Angeles to target at-risk teens and provide early health intervention. So far, teachers, health professionals and the teens who have used the program say it works because teens often find it easier to talk to a computer than to an adult.
Kaiser Permenante is donating the program and providing training to interested community agencies and schools in California.
(Kaiser Permanente, Dena Durkin, 626/405-3004)