Cyclic evaluation of web-based public health interventions

Abstract

Qualitative research methods, in general, facilitate meaningful community engagement (Stutterheim & Ratcliffe, 2021). The qualitative methodology employed within the CEP is expected to similarly foster meaningful community engagement, constituting the fourth key characteristic of the CEP. From a utilitarian and functional perspective, involving the community (e.g., intervention users and intermediaries) is expected to enhance intervention effectiveness (Brunton et al., 2017). Viewed through a social justice lens, community engagement can support and empower individuals and communities, particularly when aligned with key values such as dignity and nonothering (Brunton et al., 2017;Stutterheim & Ratcliffe, 2021). Respectively, these values mean that the inherent worth and value of all participants is recognized at every stage of the research, and that the community is seen as similar to the researchers, approached from a common base of humanity, rather than seen as 'other ' (Levac et al., 2019;Shalowitz et al., 2009;Sprague et al., 2019).Community engagement can be seen as a continuum that moves from outreach efforts to consultation, followed by community involvement, then collaboration, and, finally, shared leadership and decision-making (Sprague et al., 2019). In the context of the CEP, the community of (representatives of the) end-users is involved both indirectly and directly. Indirect involvement occurs through the analysis of their use data in phase 2, leading to assumptions about the impact of the intervention on the community.Direct involvement takes place when end-user perceptions are explored in phase 3. These perspectives can guide the optimization in phase 4, where input of other end-users can once again be sought. Moreover, the various phases allow for input and shared decision-making by an established advisory board at critical juncturesboth at the beginning and end of each phase. This board could, for example, include representatives from the community, intervention developers or funders, as well as intermediary users.Case study: Evaluating and optimizing Sense.info with the CEP In this dissertation, the CEP was tested in the context of Sense.info, the primary platform for information and services related to sexual and reproductive health for individuals aged 12 to 25 in the Netherlands. Sense.info encompasses six main aims, which are familiarizing oneself with one's body, developing a sexual identity, experiencing sexual pleasure, and preventing boundary crossing, sexually transmitted Acyclic Behavior Change Diagrams: A tool to report and analyze interventionsThis chapter has been published as: