Intervention to Increase Condom Use Among Users of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Self-Sampling Websites...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Digital Health Interventions
• Sexual Health

Background:

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are prevalent among young individuals, with chlamydia being common.
• Inconsistent condom use during penetrative sex is a significant risk factor for STIs.
• Current web-based STI testing services offer limited support for preventing future infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of conducting a future randomized controlled trial (RCT) for the "Wrapped" intervention.
• To evaluate the "Wrapped" intervention's potential to improve consistent and correct condom use among young people accessing web-based STI testing.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial (RCT) feasibility study involving young people (16-24 years) using web-based STI testing.
• Participants were randomized to receive the "Wrapped" intervention plus usual care or usual care alone.
• Key outcomes included recruitment proportion, chlamydia self-sample return rates at 3 and 12 months, and survey completion.

Main Results:

• Recruitment yielded 173 participants (1.5% of the sampling pool) over 31 weeks.
• A valid chlamydia self-sample was returned by 75.7% at 12 months, indicating feasibility for a full trial (estimated 3574 participants needed).
• Retention was higher in the intervention group (86%) compared to the control group (66%), with some demographic imbalances noted.

Conclusions:

• A full randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the "Wrapped" intervention is feasible.
• The large user base of web-based STI testing services provides a sufficient pool for recruitment.
• Strategies are needed to ensure balanced demographic representation in future trials.