%0 Journal Article
%T Applying a deterrence nudge strategy for promoting stair usage in a university setting.
%A Lee CG
%A Chu J
%A Mao R
%A Kim H
%A Lee EY
%A Park S
%A Kim T
%J BMC Public Health
%V 24
%N 1
%D 2024 Aug 13
%M 39138467
%F 4.135
%R 10.1186/s12889-024-19592-6
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>This study aimed to examine whether indirectly deterring elevator use through time-targeted Point-of-Decision Prompts (PODPs) efficiently increased stair usage in a university setting.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A quasi-experimental design (pre-post design) was employed over 2 weeks in September 2023. Baseline observations were conducted for 1 week prior to signage placement at two locations. The intervention in this study lasted for 1 week, immediately following baseline observations. Three hundred and thirty-one and 384 participants were observed during the baseline and intervention periods, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the increase in the act of ascending the stairs.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Our intervention, which focused on time-related messages, effectively increased stair usage among university students (coefficient = 0.435, p-value < 0.01). Furthermore, females (coefficient = -0.820, p-value < 0.05) and individuals aged ≥ 30 years (coefficient = 1.048, p-value < 0.01) were notably more likely to be influenced by our intervention than males and individuals aged < 30 years.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Indirectly discouraging elevator use through time-targeted PODPs may amplify the effects of the previously employed time-related messages. Our findings suggested that a deterrence nudge should primarily be directed towards promoting stair usage among females or individuals aged ≥ 30 years.