scholarly journals Development of a Mobile Phone App to Promote Safe Sex Practice Among Youth in Stockholm, Sweden: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Nielsen ◽  
Aspasia Bågenholm ◽  
Ayesha De Costa
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Specific Information

BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) has been shown to be effective in increasing knowledge of sexual health among youth. To date, evaluations mostly refer to interventions delivered via computer, email, and text messages. The possibility of downloading apps on mobile devices has opened up opportunities to develop engaging interventions on safe sexual health promotion. To attract young users and have them engage with a sexual health app, it is important to involve youth in intervention development. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to obtain input from youth on the content of a mobile phone app intended to promote safe sex and increase condom use among youth in Stockholm. METHODS This study was conducted at the Youth Health Clinics (YHC) in Stockholm County, Sweden. A total of 15 individual in-depth interviews and 2 focus group discussions (with youth aged 18-23 years) were conducted at the YHC in Stockholm. Areas explored were: (1) youth perceptions of condom use (advantages and obstacles), (2) perceptions of mHealth to promote safe sexual practices, and (3) content development for a mobile phone app to promote safe sex. RESULTS The smartphone app was developed based on the categories that emerged from the data. With regard to content, youth requested sex education, including information on sexually transmitted infections. In addition, condom-specific information, including practical usage technique, advice on how to have the condom talk, and how to decrease shame related to condom use, was requested. Youth suggested different modes to deliver the content, including text messages, movie clips, and push notifications. It was suggested that the tone of the messages delivered should be fun, entertaining, and supportive. The inputs from youth influenced the development of the following sections of the app: <i>Condom Obstacles and Solutions</i>; <i>Quiz</i>; <i>Games</i>; <i>Self-Refection</i>; <i>Challenges</i>; <i>Stories by Peers</i> (stories from peers and information from a doctor); <i>Condom Tips, Pep Talk, and Boosting</i>; and <i>Random Facts</i>. CONCLUSIONS It is important to use input from youth when developing a smartphone intervention since the success of the intervention largely depends on the level of engagement and usage by youth. Furthermore, if proven efficient in increasing condom use, it is important that the development, including content and mode, is thoroughly described so that the intervention can be replicated. Likewise, if proven inefficient, it is important to learn from mistakes to improve and adjust the intervention. The effect of this smartphone app on safe sexual practices among youth is being evaluated in a pragmatic randomized controlled trial in Stockholm (ISRCTN13212899) and will be reported separately.

scholarly journals Development of a Mobile Phone App to Promote Safe Sex Practice Among Youth in Stockholm, Sweden: Qualitative Study

10.2196/12917 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e12917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Nielsen ◽  
Aspasia Bågenholm ◽  
Ayesha De Costa
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Specific Information

Background Mobile health (mHealth) has been shown to be effective in increasing knowledge of sexual health among youth. To date, evaluations mostly refer to interventions delivered via computer, email, and text messages. The possibility of downloading apps on mobile devices has opened up opportunities to develop engaging interventions on safe sexual health promotion. To attract young users and have them engage with a sexual health app, it is important to involve youth in intervention development. Objective This study aimed to obtain input from youth on the content of a mobile phone app intended to promote safe sex and increase condom use among youth in Stockholm. Methods This study was conducted at the Youth Health Clinics (YHC) in Stockholm County, Sweden. A total of 15 individual in-depth interviews and 2 focus group discussions (with youth aged 18-23 years) were conducted at the YHC in Stockholm. Areas explored were: (1) youth perceptions of condom use (advantages and obstacles), (2) perceptions of mHealth to promote safe sexual practices, and (3) content development for a mobile phone app to promote safe sex. Results The smartphone app was developed based on the categories that emerged from the data. With regard to content, youth requested sex education, including information on sexually transmitted infections. In addition, condom-specific information, including practical usage technique, advice on how to have the condom talk, and how to decrease shame related to condom use, was requested. Youth suggested different modes to deliver the content, including text messages, movie clips, and push notifications. It was suggested that the tone of the messages delivered should be fun, entertaining, and supportive. The inputs from youth influenced the development of the following sections of the app: Condom Obstacles and Solutions; Quiz; Games; Self-Refection; Challenges; Stories by Peers (stories from peers and information from a doctor); Condom Tips, Pep Talk, and Boosting; and Random Facts. Conclusions It is important to use input from youth when developing a smartphone intervention since the success of the intervention largely depends on the level of engagement and usage by youth. Furthermore, if proven efficient in increasing condom use, it is important that the development, including content and mode, is thoroughly described so that the intervention can be replicated. Likewise, if proven inefficient, it is important to learn from mistakes to improve and adjust the intervention. The effect of this smartphone app on safe sexual practices among youth is being evaluated in a pragmatic randomized controlled trial in Stockholm (ISRCTN13212899) and will be reported separately.

Sex Education on TikTok: A Content Analysis of Themes

2021 ◽  
pp. 152483992110315
Author(s):  
Leah R. Fowler ◽  
Lauren Schoen ◽  
Hadley Stevens Smith ◽  
Stephanie R. Morain
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Sexual Pleasure ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Providers

Leading medical and public health societies endorse comprehensive sex education, but only 20 states and Washington, D.C., currently require information about contraception when sex education is taught, and even fewer require the inclusion of topics such as gender diversity or consent. At the same time, social media use, especially the video-sharing app TikTok, is increasing among teens. TikTok, therefore, offers a novel opportunity to make up for shortcomings in sex education and convey sexual health information to adolescents. To describe the availability and content of sexual education on TikTok, we conducted a content analysis of themes for 100 sex education–focused videos. We found that female anatomy was the most frequently addressed topic. Sexual pleasure was the second most common theme, within which discussions of the female orgasm and arousal constituted the most common subtheme. Other common themes include contraception and sexual health. These sought-after topics may be incongruent with those presented in standard school- or home-based sex education or interactions with health care providers, and this disconnect suggests opportunities for health care providers and educators to initiate conversations or offer resources on these themes as part of routine interaction. We conclude with recommendations for future research to consider the factual accuracy of sex education on TikTok and determine how exposure to this content affects adolescents’ understanding of the risks and benefits of intercourse, sexual practices, age- and gender-based sexual norms, and other health behaviors.

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 Effects on walking performance and lower body strength by short message service guided training after stroke or transient ischemic attack (The STROKEWALK Study): a randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 026921552095434
Author(s):  
Birgit Vahlberg ◽  
Erik Lundström ◽  
Staffan Eriksson ◽  
Ulf Holmbäck ◽  
Tommy Cederholm
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Lower Body ◽  
Walking Test ◽  
Body Strength ◽  
Lower Body Strength ◽  
Ischemic Attack

Objective: To evaluate whetherdaily mobile-phone delivered messages with training instructions during three months increase physical activity and overall mobility in patients soon after stroke or transient ischemic attack. Design: Randomised controlled trial with intention-to-treat analyses. Setting: University hospital. Data collection from November 2016 until December2018. Subjects: Seventy-nine patients (mean (SD) age 63.9 (10.4) years, 29 were women) were allocated to either intervention ( n = 40) or control group ( n = 39). Participants had to be independent (modified Ranking Scale ⩽2) and able to perform the six-minute walking test at discharge from the hospital. Interventions: The intervention group received standard care and daily mobile phone instructional text messages to perform regular outdoor walking and functional leg exercises. The control group received standard care; that is, primary care follow-up. Main measures: Walking performance by six-minute walking test (m), lower body strength by five times chair-stand test (s), the short physical performance battery (0–12 points) and 10-metres walk test (m/s) were assessed at baseline and after three months. Results: The estimated median difference in the six-minute walking test was in favour of the intervention group by 30 metres (95% CI, 55 to 1; effect size 0.64; P = 0.037) and in the chair-stand test by 0.88 seconds (95% CI, 0.02 to 1.72; effect size 0.64; P = 0.034). There were no differences between groups on the short physical performance battery or in 10-metres walking time. Conclusions: Three months of daily mobile phone text messages with guided training instructions improved composite mobility measures; that is, walking performanceand lower body strength. Clinical Trial Registry: The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT02902367.

scholarly journals An Interactive Sexual Health Literacy Programme for Safe Sex Practice in Female Chinese University Students: A Multicentre, Randomised Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Yuen-Ha Wong ◽  
Wen Zhang ◽  
Yongda Wu ◽  
Edmond Pui Hang Choi ◽  
Herman Hay Ming Lo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Sexual Coercion ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Literacy Programme ◽  
Randomised Controlled

BACKGROUND Sexual health is a major concern among young adults worldwide, which helps prevent sexually transmitted infectious. To foster individual sexual health, the sexual health literacy should be enhanced. Seldom previous evidence designed to incorporate gender-power dynamics, such as sexual coercion, although the prevalence of sexual coercion stays high in China. OBJECTIVE We aimed to describe the development and systematic evaluation of a sexual health literacy intervention called “Smart Girlfriend” in female Chinese University Students. METHODS A multicentre randomised controlled trial was conducted with 781 female university students at five universities with dormitories in Hong Kong. Inclusion criteria were used to select unmarried female university Chinese students who were ≥18 years old and had not received any sexual health intervention in the past 12 months. The primary outcome was self-reported consistency of condom use with every partner in 3-month assessments at 3-month and 6-month follow-up, analysed using zero/one inflated beta (ZOIB) regression. Knowledge, attitudes, norms, and self-efficacy of condom use were appraised by the 25-item Multidimensional Condom Attitudes Scale (MCAS) as the secondary outcome. Intention to treat was applied in analyses. RESULTS Of 1503 individuals screened, 781 (52%) were randomised into two groups. Retention rates at 3-month and 6-month follow-up were 92% and 91%, respectively. Most participants were born locally (72%), and 18% self-reported a sexual minority orientation. ZOIB results regarding consistency of condom use were not significant (Model 1: OR: 2·25, 95% CrI: [0·84, 6·36]; Model 2: OR: 8·03, 95% CrI: [0·22, 330·31]; Model 3: OR: 1·21, 95% CrI [0·78, 1·86]). Consistency in the intervention group was 5% higher (95% CI: [−1·90, 11·63]) compared with the control group at 3-month follow-up, and 1% higher (95% CI: [−5·81, 8·02]) at 6-month follow-up. MCAS scores at 3-month follow-up (intervention: 122·51 ± 15·97 vs control: 119·86 ± 15·85, p < 0·05) were significantly higher in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS An interactive computer-based sexual health literacy programme did not significantly increase consistency of condom use compared with one page of condom use information, but temporarily improved knowledge, attitudes, norms, and self-efficacy regarding condom use. CLINICALTRIAL This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03695679.

scholarly journals User Perception of a Smartphone App to Promote Physical Activity Through Active Transportation: Inductive Qualitative Content Analysis Within the Smart City Active Mobile Phone Intervention (SCAMPI) Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Karin Lindqvist ◽  
Stina Rutberg ◽  
Emmie Söderström ◽  
Anna Ek ◽  
Christina Alexandrou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Smart City ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Active Transportation ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND Physical inactivity is globally recognized as a major risk factor for morbidity, particularly the incidence of noncommunicable diseases. Increasing physical activity (PA) is therefore a public health priority. Engaging in active transportation (AT) is a viable approach for promoting daily PA levels. Mobile health interventions enable the promotion of AT to a larger population. The Smart City Active Mobile Phone Intervention (SCAMPI) study was a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the ability of a behavior change program delivered via a smartphone app to motivate participants to increase their PA by engaging in AT. OBJECTIVE This qualitative study aims to examine the acceptance and user experience of the app promoting AT that was used in the SCAMPI trial (the TRavelVU Plus app). METHODS A total of 17 residents of Stockholm County (13 women; age range 25-61 years) who completed the 3-month app-based behavioral change program (delivered through the TRavelVU Plus app) in the SCAMPI randomized controlled trial during 2018 agreed to participate in a semistructured telephone-based interview. These participants were well representative of the whole intervention group (n=127) in terms of baseline characteristics such as age, sex, and area of residence. The interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using an inductive qualitative content analysis. RESULTS The content analysis revealed 2 themes and 4 subcategories. The first theme, “main motivators: monitoring and messages,” highlighted that monitoring AT and being able to set weekly goals using the app were the primary motivators reported by study participants. The second theme, “acceptable but modifiable,” reflects that the app was well accepted and effectively encouraged many participants to use more AT. Nevertheless, there were functions in the app that require modification. For example, while the semiautomated travel tracking feature was appreciated, participants found it time-consuming and unreliable at times. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes novel insight into adults’ experiences of using a mobile app to promote the use of AT. The results showed that the app was well accepted and that self-monitoring and goal setting were the main motivators to engage in more AT. The semiautomated tracking of AT was appreciated; however, it was also reported to be energy- and time-consuming when it failed to work. Thus, this feature should be improved going forward. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03086837; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03086837 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1186/s12889-018-5658-4

Safe sex in chick lit: a ‘novel' analysis of sexual health references in popular women’s fiction

Sexual Health ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan S.C. Lim ◽  
Margaret E. Hellard ◽  
Danielle Horyniak
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Vaginal Intercourse ◽  
Sexual Content ◽  
Chick Lit ◽  
Sexual Encounters ◽  
Stimulation Of ◽  
Sex Practices

Background Media, including fiction novels, influences health behaviours in women’s lives. This research measures the prevalence of sexual content and explores the portrayal of sexual health topics in ‘chick lit’, a genre of fiction characterised by neoliberal feminism. Methods: Fifty bestselling chick lit novels were identified from the book-related website, Goodreads. Information was extracted on sexual encounters taking place: characters involved, behaviours depicted, references to contraception and other (un)safe sex practices. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse key features of sexual encounters, and thematic analysis conducted to explore the portrayal of (un)safe sex. Results: Forty-five books (90%) contained at least one sexual scene (total: 199 scenes). 110 scenes explicitly described sexual behaviours, mostly commonly vaginal intercourse (72%), manual stimulation of a woman (28%) or oral stimulation of a man (15%) or woman (15%), and 53% of scenes implied sexual intercourse occurred but did not describe the event. Condom use was described in 43% of scenes with clearly described vaginal intercourse, almost exclusively in scenes involving dating or casual partners. Condoms were portrayed as a ‘necessary evil’; although use was normalised, they were described as having negative effects on pleasure and intimacy. Conclusions: Portrayals of sexual encounters in chick lit are realistic and recognise that safe sex does not always occur. Despite references to condom use being prevalent, the portrayal of condoms in a negative light could discourage young women from their use. Chick lit could provide a ‘novel’ opportunity to model positive behaviours and promote discussion of safer sex practices.

Reinforcing Provider Training with Mobile Phone Text Messages in Ghana: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 852-853
Author(s):  
Benjamin Woodman ◽  
Minki Chatterji ◽  
Willa Friedman ◽  
Pamela Riley ◽  
Vicki MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Provider Training ◽  
Randomized Controlled

scholarly journals A pragmatic and scalable strategy using mobile technology to promote sustained lifestyle changes to prevent type 2 diabetes in India and the UK: a randomised controlled trial

Diabetologia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 486-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arun Nanditha ◽  
Hazel Thomson ◽  
Priscilla Susairaj ◽  
Weerachai Srivanichakorn ◽  
Nick Oliver ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Medical Research ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Aims/hypothesis This randomised controlled trial was performed in India and the UK in people with prediabetes to study whether mobile phone short message service (SMS) text messages can be used to motivate and educate people to follow lifestyle modifications, to prevent type 2 diabetes. Methods The study was performed in people with prediabetes (n = 2062; control: n = 1031; intervention: n = 1031) defined by HbA1c ≥42 and ≤47 mmol/mol (≥6.0% and ≤6.4%). Participants were recruited from public and private sector organisations in India (men and women aged 35–55 years) and by the National Health Service (NHS) Health Checks programme in the UK (aged 40–74 years without pre-existing diabetes, cardiovascular disease or kidney disease). Allocation to the study groups was performed using a computer-generated sequence (1:1) in India and by stratified randomisation in permuted blocks in the UK. Investigators in both countries remained blinded throughout the study period. All participants received advice on a healthy lifestyle at baseline. The intervention group in addition received supportive text messages using mobile phone SMS messages 2–3 times per week. Participants were assessed at baseline and at 6, 12 and 24 months. The primary outcome was conversion to type 2 diabetes and secondary outcomes included anthropometry, biochemistry, dietary and physical activity changes, blood pressure and quality of life. Results At the 2 year follow-up (n = 2062; control: n = 1031; intervention: n = 1031), in the intention-to-treat population the HR for development of type 2 diabetes calculated using a discrete-time proportional hazards model was 0.89 (95% CI 0.74, 1.07; p = 0.22). There were no significant differences in the secondary outcomes. Conclusions/interpretation This trial in two countries with varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds showed no significant reduction in the progression to diabetes in 2 years by lifestyle modification using SMS messaging. Trial registration The primary study was registered on www.ClinicalTrials.gov (India, NCT01570946; UK, NCT01795833). Funding The study was funded jointly by the Indian Council for Medical Research and the UK Medical Research Council.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document