Brief Intervention to Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections and Unintended Pregnancies: Protocol of a Mixed Methods Feasibility Study

Stephenson, Rob; Metheny, Nicholas; Goldenberg, Tamar; Bakunina, Nataliia; Vasconcelos, Sofia De; Blondeel, Karel; Kiarie, James; Toskin, Igor

doi:10.2196/15569

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Although the effectiveness of brief behavioral interventions for the prevention of STIs/HIV has been shown, through different situations, for example, promoting positive attitudes and increasing condom use, reinforcing behavioral skills and establishing a non-threatening context, discussing concerns about sexuality, and offering empathetic understanding and unconditional support regarding clients’ behavior change [ 21 ], it is relevant to assess the feasibility of the BSC intervention in public facilities in lower-middle income countries, particularly when working with clients belonging to diverse vulnerable and stigmatized populations in various sociocultural contexts [ 4 , 11 , 12 ]. In this way, the BSC intervention generates new opportunities for health care providers to help their clients change behaviors that are relevant to their sexual health care [ 13 , 22 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This report comes from the first phase of a feasibility study of the brief sexuality-related communication (BSC) intervention in Peru, as part of a WHO multiphase and multisite study [ 22 ], in which qualitative information was evaluated on the perceptions and attitudes of healthcare providers about the BSC intervention, and whether it would work in their daily practice offering sexual health services.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Brief intervention to prevent HIV, STI and unintended pregnancies: preliminary results of a feasibility study from the perspective of healthcare providers in Peru

Jiron

Sandoval

Enciso

et al. 2021

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background Brief interventions have proven to be valuable instruments for the treatment and care of clients with diverse health needs, due to their potential to impact both the individual and the population. In this regard, the Brief Sexuality-Related Communication (BSC) is presented as a viable and effective alternative for addressing sexual and reproductive health problems, assessing risk behaviors and motivating clients to generate behavioral change. Since health providers are key actors in treatment and prevention, it is essential to know their perceptions about the BSC intervention, as well as its acceptability in different contexts, with diverse client populations. Thus, the following paper reflects the findings of the perceptions and experiences of health providers in Peru from the first phase of the Feasibility study of a BSC intervention to prevent STIs and unintended pregnancies. Methods This is the first phase of a multisite and multiphase study of the feasibility of a BSC intervention. We conducted twenty in-depth interviews (IDI) with health care providers (physicians, obstetricians, psychologists, nurses and peer counselors) recruited from three health care institutions in Peru: The Tahuantinsuyo Bajo Maternal and Child Center (CMI) and the San José Maternal and Child Center, both located in the capital city, Lima; and La Caleta Hospital located in Chimbote, northern coast of Peru. Participating health providers included those working at the HIV/STI Reference service and the family planning/reproductive health service. The IDI addressed three domains: 1) Acceptability of the BSC intervention; 2) Perceived willingness to implement the BSC intervention; and 3) Considerations for the Implementation of the BSC intervention. Results Health providers expressed high acceptance of the BSC intervention, considering it as a useful and effective instrument to address sexual and reproductive health problems with all clients; however, some providers had some concerns about the real impact of the intervention to achieve significant behavior change. On the other hand, health providers showed high willingness to learn and implement the BSC intervention, affirming their commitment to learn new techniques and strategies that could allow them to improve their knowledge and the quality of their care. Health care providers consider it necessary to take into account the barriers that arise in the implementation of the BSC intervention, such as the structural limitations to access, the providers’ abilities to deliver the intervention effectively, and the participants’ reception of the intervention. Finally, providers consider it essential to establish the BSC intervention in a normative framework that allows it to receive the support of the health departments and eventually enforces implementation. Conclusions Health providers consider the BSC intervention as an interesting and exciting behavioral intervention to deal with the sexual and reproductive health issues existing in different populations, and seemed highly willing to adapt and implement it, hoping that it become beneficial to all client populations to prevent HIV/STIs and unintended pregnancies.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brief intervention to prevent HIV, STI and unintended pregnancies: preliminary results of a feasibility study from the perspective of healthcare providers in Peru

Jiron

Sandoval

Enciso

et al. 2021

BMC Health Serv Res

Self Cite

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“…Program acceptability was operationalized as satisfaction with the process [21,22]. We assessed the acceptability of POWER by examining the following reports: (1) POWER sessions that were liked most and least, (2) skills learned from POWER, (3) how often participants practiced sessions outside of the group, and (4) participants satisfaction with POWER facilitators.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Feasibility and Acceptability of Project POWER: A Cognitive-Behavioral Mindfulness-Infused Group-Based Mental and Sexual Health Intervention Among Young Pregnant Women in Liberia

Callands¹,

Hylick²,

Desrosiers

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Background Following 14 years of civil war in Liberia, war-exposure, gender-based violence, and extreme poverty have been identified as key challenges to the mental and sexual health of young pregnant women, and the health of their unborn children. Despite ongoing efforts to rebuild the country’s healthcare infrastructure, empirical research and interventions focused on addressing the consequences of war on the mental and sexual health of young pregnant women in Liberia are severely limited. To address these concerns, we developed Project POWER (Progressing Our Well-being, Emotions, and Relationships) (POWER), a mindfulness-infused cognitive-behavioral intervention for young adult pregnant women. This study sought to: 1) assess the feasibility and acceptability of POWER; and (2) determine the preliminary efficacy of POWER for improving mental and sexual health outcomes among Liberian war-exposed pregnant young adult women. Methods Eighty-seven women ages 18-25 years were recruited from three catchment areas in Monrovia, Liberia. Participants participated in one of two ten-session programs delivered over 5-weeks: POWER or a control group (a health education program). Feasibility and acceptability of POWER were examined using program log (e.g., the number of participants screened and enrolled, facilitator satisfaction, etc.) data from an exit interview. Results Preliminary efficacy of POWER’s effects on mental and sexual health outcomes was assessed using a series of four one-way repeated measures ANOVA with time and group as predictors. Analyses provided preliminary support for the feasibility and acceptability of POWER. Preliminary efficacy of POWER showed significant reductions in depression symptoms, PTSD symptoms, prenatal distress, and transactional sex over time. Conclusions Findings suggest that POWER may be a feasible and acceptable intervention to promote mental and sexual health for young adult pregnant women in Liberia. Future research is needed to determine the efficacy of POWER on a larger scale in Liberia.

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“…The provider will work with the client to create an individualized action plan comprised of a set of sexual health goals with the aim of improving sexual health, with a specific focus on reducing STIs and unintended pregnancies. An overview of the proposed intervention and proposed protocol for its implementation is published elsewhere [ 29 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Provider attitudes towards a brief behavioral intervention for sexual health in Moldova

Stephenson

Lesco²,

Бабій³

et al. 2021

BMC Public Health

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Background Brief behavioral interventions are seen as an efficient way to improve knowledge, change behavior, and reduce provider stigma regarding sexual health. When grounded in evidence-based behavioral change techniques and delivered using Brief Sexuality-related Communication (BSC) tools, brief behavioral interventions can address client-driven sexual health goals in a single session with their provider. Evidence for the efficacy of brief interventions for creating gains in sexual health comes largely from resource rich settings, and there is a lack of knowledge of how brief interventions can be implemented in the more resource constrained environments of low- and middle-income countries. As a first step in developing a brief intervention to address sexual health issues in Moldova, this paper reports on qualitative data collected from Moldovan providers to understand their attitudes, willingness and perceived barriers to the brief intervention and its implementation. Methods Thirty-nine in-depth interviews (IDI) were conducted between February and March 2020, with health providers recruited from three primary health care institutions, two Youth Friendly Health Centers and counselors from three NGOs who work with key populations in Moldova, including health centers selected from two cites - the capital city, Chisinau and from the Comrat Region. The IDI addressed four domains of provider attitudes: 1) attitudes towards the intervention; 2) willingness and motivation to implement the intervention; 3) logistics of providing the intervention and 4) ability to implement the intervention. A coding analysis approach was applied to all interview transcripts. Results Providers largely reported being willing to be trained in and implement the brief intervention. Willingness to implement the intervention stemmed from two perceptions: that it would improve the ability of providers to talk with their clients about sex, and that vulnerable groups would benefit from these conversations. However, while there were generally positive attitudes towards the intervention, providers consistently reported structural barriers to their perceived ability to implement the intervention. Conclusions While providers reported high levels of initial acceptance of a brief behavioral intervention, care is needed to ensure that brief interventions, and the training of providers on brief interventions, incorporate cultural attitudes and norms around sex, particularly in highly patriarchal settings, and provide opportunities for providers to practice the intervention in ways that address their assumptions and implicit biases.

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Brief Intervention to Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections and Unintended Pregnancies: Protocol of a Mixed Methods Feasibility Study

Cited by 6 publications

References 27 publications

Brief intervention to prevent HIV, STI and unintended pregnancies: preliminary results of a feasibility study from the perspective of healthcare providers in Peru

Brief intervention to prevent HIV, STI and unintended pregnancies: preliminary results of a feasibility study from the perspective of healthcare providers in Peru

The Feasibility and Acceptability of Project POWER: A Cognitive-Behavioral Mindfulness-Infused Group-Based Mental and Sexual Health Intervention Among Young Pregnant Women in Liberia

Provider attitudes towards a brief behavioral intervention for sexual health in Moldova

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