Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
10:57
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
Evaluating a teen STD prevention Web site
Lisa K Gilbert1, Julie Rae E Temby, Sarah E Rogers
1The American Social Health Association, Durham, North Carolina 27709, USA. lisagilbertphd@yahoo.com
Summary
Teens seek sexual health information online, with topics varying by age and gender. The internet is a cost-effective tool for sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention education for adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Internet Studies
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Adolescents face higher risks for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) due to biological and behavioral factors.
- Limited STD prevention resources are available for teenagers.
- Understanding how teens use the internet for health information is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure audience and information-seeking characteristics of the www.iwannaknow.org website.
- To pilot test and refine online survey methods for evaluating teen internet use for STD information.
- To inform the development of effective online STD prevention resources for adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Formative content analysis and usability study of the website.
- Development, pilot testing, revision, and launch of an online survey.
- Data collection over a three-month period from website visitors.
Main Results:
- Fewer than half of the 3,489 participants (1,242) were within the target age group of 13-17 years.
- Most participants accessed the internet from home.
- Interest varied, with sexual expression, teen sexuality, virginity, relationships, and contraception being more popular than STD information, and these interests differed by age and gender.
Conclusions:
- Findings assist researchers, web developers, and health educators in refining evaluation methods and creating effective websites.
- The internet offers a cost-effective approach for STD risk and prevention education for teens and those working with them.
- Further research is needed to evaluate the behavioral impact of online STD prevention interventions.
Related Concept Videos
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
01:30Preventive Healthcare Services
Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:23Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), though herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is increasingly implicated in genital infections, particularly among younger populations. Transmission occurs mainly through sexual contact, with asymptomatic viral shedding serving as a major route of spread. This characteristic makes HSV-2 difficult to control at a population level, as individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus even in the...