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Testing a Risky Sex Behavior Intervention Pilot Website for Adolescents
Randall Starling1, Don Helme2, Jessica A Nodulman3
1Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions University of New Mexico 2650 Yale Blvd. SE MSC11-6280 Albuquerque, NM 87106.
Californian Journal of Health Promotion
|July 14, 2015
Summary
This study piloted a web-based sexual risk reduction program for teens. The program showed promising positive changes in self-efficacy and intentions related to safer sex practices among adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Digital Health Interventions
Background:
- Teenagers account for a significant portion of unintended pregnancies annually.
- Effective sexual risk reduction education for adolescents is crucial.
- Web-based delivery offers a promising avenue for reaching and influencing teen behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To pilot test a web-based program designed to reduce risky sexual behavior.
- To evaluate the program's impact on related outcomes in adolescents.
- To assess the feasibility of web-based sexual health education in a high school setting.
Main Methods:
- A beta-test of the website was conducted with 173 9th and 10th-grade students in New Mexico.
- Participants completed the online program over two days in school computer labs.
- The study utilized pretest to posttest measures to assess changes.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed in self-efficacy for condom use.
- Condom use intentions, key mediators of behavior change, were significantly altered.
- Adolescents reported high satisfaction with the website's content and delivery.
Conclusions:
- The web-based program, BReady4it, offered innovative sex and substance abuse education.
- The program demonstrated promising positive changes in cognitive factors linked to reduced risky sexual behavior.
- This digital intervention shows potential for improving adolescent sexual health outcomes.