The Use of Public Messaging for the Promotion of Firearm Safety to Veterans

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This pilot study seeks to determine if exposure to the firearm safety public service announcement (PSA) developed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is associated with changes in related beliefs and safe storage practices. Participants are randomly assigned to message exposure or control conditions. Data from this project will inform injury prevention outreach efforts targeted towards Veteran populations.

Official Title
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Unlocking the Potential of VA Means Safety Programs: An Examination of the Use of Public Messaging for the Promotion of Firearm Safety to Veterans

Conditions
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Injuries

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Exposure to firearm safety PSA
* Other: Exposure to health promotion PSA


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Veterans of all gender/sex, race/ethnicities Living in United States Fluent in English language Capable of understanding the goals of the study Possess computer/internet access Exclusion Criteria: Not a U.S. Veteran living in the United States Determined to be cognitively impaired Currently institutionalized (e.g., hospitalized; incarcerated, etc.) Do not possess computer/internet access

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 89 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Exposure to firearm safety Public Service Announcement (PSA)<br>Exposure to the firearm safety PSA (approx. 2.5 minutes long) once per week for 3 weeks. | Other: Exposure to firearm safety PSA<br>* Exposed to firearm safety PSA<br>|
| Experimental: Exposure to a mix of PSAs<br>Exposure to a general health promotion video (approx. 2 minutes long) 1 week post-randomization followed by exposure to firearm safety PSA at 2- and 3-weeks post-randomization. | Other: Exposure to firearm safety PSA<br>* Exposed to firearm safety PSA<br>Other: Exposure to health promotion PSA<br>* Exposed to general health promotion PSA<br>|
| Active Comparator: Active control<br>Exposure to the general health promotion video once per week for 3 weeks. | Other: Exposure to health promotion PSA<br>* Exposed to general health promotion PSA<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of Participants With Self-reported Injury Prevention Belief | Number of participants with self-reported response to belief that safe storage of household firearms is effective for reducing injury or death. | baseline | 
| Number of Participants With Self-reported Injury Prevention Belief | Number of participants with self-reported response to belief that safe storage of household firearms is effective for reducing injury or death. | 3 weeks post-baseline | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of Participants Who Self-reported Firearm Storage Behavior at Baseline | Number of participants at baseline with self-reported safe household firearm storage (restricted to participants with self-reported firearm access) | baseline | 
| Number of Participants Who Self-reported Firearm Storage Behavior at Exit | Number of participants at exit with self-reported safe household firearm storage (restricted to participants with self-reported firearm access) | 3 weeks post-baseline |