Reducing sexual health risks and substance use in the prenatal setting: A study protocol for a randomized controlled

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Surgical Treatments for Postamputation Pain
03:26

Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Surgical Treatments for Postamputation Pain

Published on: March 8, 2024

3.5K

Golfo Tzilos Wernette1, Melissa Plegue1, Okeoma Mmeje2

  • 1Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, United States of America.

Contemporary Clinical Trials
|August 17, 2019
PubMed

Insights

This study evaluated a computer-delivered intervention for pregnant women to reduce risks from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and substance use. The Health Check-Up for Expectant Moms (HCEM) aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Maternal Health
  • Substance Use Disorders

Background:

  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are at record highs, posing significant risks to childbearing women, including premature birth and fetal death.
  • Substance use during pregnancy is increasing, leading to adverse birth outcomes and higher likelihood of risky sexual behaviors and STIs.
  • A critical gap exists in interventions addressing both STI risk and substance misuse concurrently in pregnant populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the efficacy of the Health Check-Up for Expectant Moms (HCEM) computer-delivered intervention in reducing antenatal and postpartum risks.
  • To compare the HCEM intervention against a matched control condition among pregnant women seeking prenatal care.
  • To provide data on the effectiveness, costs, and resource utilization of a brief motivational intervention for high-risk pregnant women.

Main Methods:

  • A two-group, randomized controlled trial involving 250 pregnant women recruited from prenatal care clinics.
  • Participants were assigned to either a computer-delivered intervention (HCEM) with booster sessions or a computer-delivered control condition.
  • Follow-up assessments included objective measures of STI incidence and birth outcomes at 2 and 6 months postpartum, and 6 weeks postpartum.

Main Results:

  • The study is designed to yield crucial data on the effectiveness of the HCEM intervention.
  • Objective measures of STI incidence and birth outcomes will be analyzed to determine intervention impact.
  • The results will inform the costs and resource utilization associated with this practical intervention.

Conclusions:

  • The findings will address a critical gap in managing co-occurring STI risk and substance use in pregnant women.
  • This research will provide essential data on the efficacy of a computer-delivered motivational intervention.
  • The study aims to improve maternal and infant health by offering a scalable and accessible intervention during pregnancy and postpartum.

Keywords:
AlcoholComputer delivered brief interventionDrug usePregnancySexual health

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface (RPNI) Surgery in Postamputation Pain Management03:53

Author Spotlight: Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface (RPNI) Surgery in Postamputation Pain Management

Published on: March 15, 2024

2.9K
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Impact of Reduced Resistance Exercise Volume on Metabolic Health06:13

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Impact of Reduced Resistance Exercise Volume on Metabolic Health

Published on: December 1, 2023

1.6K

Related Concept Videos

Bioequivalence Experimental Study Designs: Completely Randomized and Randomized Block Designs01:20

Bioequivalence Experimental Study Designs: Completely Randomized and Randomized Block Designs

Body:Bioequivalence experimental study designs are crucial methodologies used in evaluating and comparing the bioavailability of different drug products. These designs are categorized into various types: completely randomized, randomized block, repeated measures, cross and carry-over, and Latin square designs.Completely randomized designs involve randomly allocating treatments to all subjects participating in the experiment. This allocation is achieved by assigning unique random numbers to...
241
Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches01:23

Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches

Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
412
Deleterious Substances in Aggregate01:25

Deleterious Substances in Aggregate

Deleterious substances in aggregates can be detrimental to the quality and durability of concrete. These substances include organic impurities like loam, which interfere with cement hydration and are usually present in the sand. These prevent a good bond between aggregate and cement paste. Organic impurities can be detected using the colorimetric test, where the darkness of a solution after agitation indicates the level of organic content.
Another type of impurity is clay and fine material that...
538
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
405
Sexually Transmitted Infections01:26

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
948
Clinical Trials01:16

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are prospective experimental studies conducted on humans to determine the safety and efficacy of treatments, drugs, diet methods, and medical devices. Using statistics in clinical trials enables researchers to derive reasonable and accurate conclusions from the collected data, allowing them to make wise decisions in uncertain situations. In medical research, statistical methods are crucial for preventing errors and bias.
There are four phases in a clinical trial. A phase one...
10.2K