Features of successful sexual health promotion programs for young people: findings from a review of systematic reviews

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna L. Bowring ◽  
Cassandra J. C. Wright ◽  
Caitlin Douglass ◽  
Judy Gold ◽  
Megan S. C. Lim
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Health Promotion Programs

Key informant perceptions of youth-focussed sexual health promotion programs in Australia

Sexual Health ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Newton ◽  
Louise Keogh ◽  
Meredith Temple-Smith ◽  
Christopher K. Fairley ◽  
Marcus Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Program Evaluation ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Community Involvement ◽  
Cultural Sensitivity ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Health Promotion Programs ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Literacy Knowledge

Background This paper explores key informant (KI) perceptions of the barriers to effective sexual health promotion programs in Australia and suggests strategies to overcome these barriers. Three types of sexual health promotion programs were explored in this study: those targeting all young people (under 30), Aboriginal young people, and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Methods: The study utilised a qualitative approach and involved 33 semistructured interviews with sexual health professionals involved in funding or delivering Australian sexual health promotion programs or working clinically with individuals diagnosed with sexually transmissible infections. Results: Fourteen barriers to effective sexual health promotion programs were identified. Barriers included: difficulties associated with program evaluation, lack of involvement of the target community, the short-term nature of programs, problems with program resources and concerns about the content of programs. Additional barriers to programs targeting Aboriginal and CALD young people were also identified and included: a lack of cultural sensitivity; a failure to acknowledge differences in literacy, knowledge, and language skills; stigma and shame associated with sexual health; and the continued use of programs that lack inclusivity. KIs suggested strategies to overcome these barriers. Conclusion: Sexual health promotion in Australia suffers from several barriers that are likely to impede the effectiveness of programs. In particular, poor or nonexistent program evaluation and lack of community involvement are among the key areas of concern. It is hoped that the findings of this study will be useful in informing and shaping future Australian sexual health promotions.

Determining the Impact of Text Messaging for Sexual Health Promotion to Young People

2010 ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy Gold ◽  
Megan S. C. Lim ◽  
Jane S. Hocking ◽  
Louise A. Keogh ◽  
Tim Spelman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
The Impact

16. A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF THE IMPACT OF EMAIL AND TEXT (SMS) MESSAGES ON THE SEXUAL HEALTH OF YOUNG PEOPLE

Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 290 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. C. Lim ◽  
J. S. Hocking ◽  
C. K. Aitken ◽  
L. Jordan ◽  
C. K. Fairley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sexual Risk Behaviour ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
The Impact

Objective: To trial a novel method of sexual health promotion - sending email and mobile phone text messages (SMS) about safe sex and STI to promote reductions in STI behaviours and increases in STI knowledge and testing. Methods: Young people (aged 16-29) were recruited at a music festival in Melbourne. They completed a questionnaire about sexual risk behaviour and were randomised to either the intervention arm of the study (to receive messages) or a control group. Text messages were sent every 3-4 weeks for a twelve month period and included catchy STI prevention slogans. Emails were sent monthly and contained detailed information about STI topics and links to related websites. Participants completed follow-up questionnaires online after 3, 6 and 12 months. Clustered weighted estimating equations were used to compare outcomes of the two groups. Results: 994 people completed at least one questionnaire (507 in the intervention group and 487 in the control group); at baseline 58% were female, the median age was 19 years and 82% had ever had sex. At 12 months, STI knowledge was higher among the intervention group for both males (OR 3.19, 95% CI 1.52, 6.69) and females (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.27, 4.37). Females in the intervention group were also more likely to have discussed sexual health with a clinician (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.66, 5.15) and to have had an STI test in the past 6 months (OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.11, 5.69). There were no significant differences in condom use between the groups. Respondents' opinions of the SMS and emails were positive. Conclusions: Receiving regular sexual health-related SMS and email messages can improve knowledge in young people and health seeking behaviour in young women. SMS and email are low cost, widely available and convenient, which - when combined with their popularity among youth - means that these media have considerable potential for sexual health promotion.

scholarly journals New digital media interventions for sexual health promotion among young people: a systematic review

Sexual Health ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Wadham ◽  
Clare Green ◽  
Joseph Debattista ◽  
Shawn Somerset ◽  
Adem Sav
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Media Interventions

scholarly journals Has untargeted sexual health promotion for young people reached its limit? A quasi-experimental study

2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 398-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrie Elliott ◽  
Marion Henderson ◽  
Catherine Nixon ◽  
Daniel Wight
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Quasi Experimental

scholarly journals Thetha Nami: Participatory development of a peer-navigator intervention to deliver biosocial HIV prevention for adolescents and young men and women in rural South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Shahmanesh ◽  
Nonhlanhla Okesola ◽  
Natsayi Chimbindi ◽  
Thembelihle Zuma ◽  
Sakhile Mdl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Young People ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Men And Women

Abstract BackgroundDespite effective biomedical tools, adolescents and young men and women carry the dual burden of high HIV incidence and high morbidity/mortality in South Africa. We integrated community-based participatory research (CBPR) with biomedical interventions to develop a peer-led biosocial intervention for HIV care and prevention in young people living in rural KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).MethodsBetween March 2018 and September 2019 we used CBPR to iteratively co-create and contextually adapt a biosocial peer-led intervention to support HIV prevention. Men and women aged 18–30 years were selected by community leaders of 21 intervention implementation areas (izigodi) and underwent 20 weeks of training as peer-navigators. We synthesised quantitative and qualitative data collected between 2016 and 2018 into 17 vignettes illustrating the local drivers of HIV. During two participatory intervention development workshops and community mapping, the peer-navigators discussed the vignettes in small groups, brainstormed solutions and mapped the components to their own izigodi. The intervention components were plotted to a Theory of Change (ToC). Following a six-month pilot, the peer-navigators used process evaluation data and experience to refine the ToC in a third workshop.ResultsFollowing written and oral assessments 57 of the 108 initially selected participated in the two workshops to discuss the vignettes and co-create the Thetha Nami (talk to me) intervention. During the pilot the peer-navigators approached 6871 young people, of whom 6141 (89%) accepted health promotion and 438 linked to care. During semi-structured interviews peer-navigators described the appeal of providing sexual health information to peers of a similar age and background but wanted to provide more than just “onward referral”. In the third participatory workshop 54 peer-navigators refined the Thetha Nami intervention to include:· Structured assessment tool to tailor support.· Safe spaces and community advocacy to create an enabling environment for HIV prevention.· Peer-led sexual health promotion to improve self-efficacy and demand for HIV prevention.· Accessible youth-friendly clinical services to improve uptake of HIV prevention.· Peer-mentorship to navigate resources and improve retention in HIV prevention.ConclusionLocal youth were able to use evidence to develop a contextually adapted peer-led intervention to deliver biosocial HIV prevention and care.

scholarly journals Sexual health promotion for young people delivered via digital media: a scoping review

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (13) ◽  
pp. 1-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Bailey ◽  
Sue Mann ◽  
Sonali Wayal ◽  
Rachael Hunter ◽  
Caroline Free ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Sexual Behaviour ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sexual Health Education

BackgroundYoung people are at risk of poor sexual health and are, therefore, in need of comprehensive, effective sexual health education. Young people are confident and constant users of digital technology, such as the internet and mobile phones, and there are many innovative possibilities for sexual health education involving these technologies.ObjectivesTo summarise evidence on effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and mechanism of action of interactive digital interventions (IDIs) for sexual health; optimal practice for intervention development; contexts for successful implementation; research methods for digital intervention evaluation; and the future potential of sexual health promotion via digital media.DesignLiterature review of evidence on digital interventions for sexual health for young people, integrating the findings with the views of young people, parents and experts in digital media/sexual health. IDIs are defined as digital media programmes that provide health information and tailored decision support, behaviour-change support and/or emotional support. We focus on sexual well-being for young people aged 13–24 years in the UK.ResultsThere are many imaginative IDIs for sexual health promotion, but few interventions address issues that are important to young people, such as sexual pleasure and relationships. It is vital to collaborate with young people and to use Behaviour-Change Theory in designing interventions. We located 19 randomised controlled trials of IDIs for sexual health promotion for young people, finding a moderate effect on sexual health knowledge [standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17 to 0.92], a small effect on confidence (self-efficacy) (SMD 0.11, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.20) and a positive effect on sexual behaviour (odds ratio 1.28, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.61), but no significant effects on safer sex intention or biological outcomes. One study suggests that IDIs may be as good as face-to-face interventions for sexual health knowledge and safer sex intention. There are no existing data on the cost-effectiveness of IDIs for sexual health promotion. The impact of an IDI will be determined by the proportion of the target population reached, intervention efficacy, adoption in a setting, how well it is delivered and maintenance/sustainability. All of these elements must be addressed for IDIs to be successful. More collaboration is needed to capitalise on the knowledge of users and stakeholders, the design and software skills of the commercial sector and the theoretical expertise and evaluation skills of academia.ConclusionsIDIs are effective for knowledge acquisition and sexual behaviour, and could usefully contribute to sexual health education in schools, in clinic settings and online; however, there are obstacles to overcome, such as access to information technology and ensuring the quality and safety of interventions.Future workMore evidence is needed on the best designs for interventions (e.g. choice of behaviour-change mechanisms and interactive features) and the best models of delivery (e.g. setting, modes of delivery, methods of facilitation and support for engagement) to improve sexual behaviour, biological outcomes and sexual well-being in a cost-effective way.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Public Health Research programme.

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