AIDSImpact.com:: - Santa Fe, USA 2011

Abstract #101 - Prevention intervention for individuals and their sexual network: the development and evaluation of a single-session sexual health training online
Authors: Presenting Author: Dr Udi Davidovich - Amsterdan Public Health Service
Additional Authors: Dr. Hanna Uhr-Dall,
Aim: This study presents the development of the different components of an intervention to counteract barriers to safe sex and STI testing of youth aged 16 to 24 and the intervention’s effect evaluation.
Method / Issue: The intervention - www.vrijlekker.nl - has been developed based on over 200 qualitative interviews with youth investigating barriers to safe sex and STI screening. Based on these interviews, training modules were developed which participants could follow online. These modules aimed at counteracting the individual barriers for safe sex and STI screening as well as first steps in removing impeding elements in the participant’s sexual network. The training was designed as a single online session aimed at inflicting cognitive change during one contact moment. The Information-, Motivation and Behavioural Skills (IMB) model (Fisher & Fisher) was used as the theoretical basis of the intervention. The training included filmed coaches that guided users throughout the intervention, thematic films, interactive text with personal feedback and sexual network tools. The modules were offered on a tailored basis to match each user’s own cognitive & behavioural risk profile that was established via an automated online intake. An evaluation was conducted comparing a demographically matched control group recruited prior to the launch of the intervention and an intervention group. Behavioural outcomes were compared at 6 month follow-up.
Results / Comments: The evaluation included 2944 participants of whom 1553 completed the follow-up (mean age 19, SD 2.4). The intervention group used condoms significantly more often with their most recent casual partner [OR=1.82, 95% CI 1.08 - 3.04] and/or with their steady partner [OR=2.17, 95%CI 1.48 - 3.18] than the control group at 6 months follow-up. Over 170,000 unique persons used the intervention already during its first year, and today more than 200 new users continue to do so every week. Some schools in the Netherlands have adopted the site as part of their routine sexual education program.
Discussion: This study has shown than offering youth a single session intervention that is empirically and theoretically sound, and that is aimed at the individual needs of each user and its sexual network, can result in the desired behavioural change and high uptake, even among the challenging target group of youth.
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