Feasibility and acceptability of a web-based HIV/STD prevention program for adolescent girls targeting sexual communication skills

Abstract

Adolescent girls are at substantial risk of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. To reduce these risks, we developed Health Education And Relationship Training (HEART), a web-based intervention focused on developing sexual assertiveness skills and enhancing sexual decision-making. This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of this new program and examined if perceived acceptability varied according to participant ethnicity, sexual orientation or sexual activity status. Participants were part of a randomized controlled trial of 222 10th-grade girls (Mage = 15.26). The current analyses included those in the intervention condition (n = 107; 36% white, 27% black and 29% Hispanic). HEART took approximately 45 min to complete and was feasible to administer in a school-based setting. Participants found the program highly acceptable: 95% liked the program and learned from the program, 88% would recommend the program to a friend and 94% plan to use what they learned in the future. The primary acceptability results did not vary by the ethnicity, sexual orientation or sexual activity status of participants, suggesting broad appeal. Results indicate that this new online program is a promising method to reach and engage adolescents in sexual health education.

“They See Sex as Something That’s Reproductive and Not as Something People Do for Fun”: Shortcomings in Adolescent Girls’ Sexual Socialization from Adults

“…Participants were recruited for a larger study that evaluated Health Education and Relationship Training (HEART), a 45-minute web-based sexual health promotion program (Kamke et al, 2020; Widman et al, 2016, 2017, 2018). The program aims to promote safer sex decision-making through improvements in sexual communication skills, using various features, such as quizzes, games, and videos.…”

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of a Brief Online Sexual Health Program for Adolescents

“…Acceptability.-Program acceptability was assessed through a questionnaire that was adapted from prior acceptability surveys (Bauermeister et al, 2015;Widman et al, 2017). Six items were included to assess six aspects of acceptability: 1) how much participants liked the program; 2) how much they learned from the program; 3) how much they felt the program kept their attention; 4) whether they would use information from the program in the future; 5) whether the program would be useful for girls their age; and 6) whether the program would be useful for boys their age.…”

“…HEART for Teens is an interactive, skills-focused intervention designed for digital delivery in one sitting lasting approximately 45 minutes. A full description of the development, program content, as well as acceptability and efficacy of the original HEART for Girls program can be found elsewhere (Widman, Golin, et al, 2018;Widman et al, 2017;Widman et al, 2016). In short, for both programs, the content is grounded in psychological and health behavior change theories, including the Reasoned Action Model (Fishbein & Ajzen, 2010) and Fuzzy Trace Theory (Reyna, 2008).…”

“…This brief online program was adapted from a program we originally developed for adolescent girls, called HEART for Girls (Widman, Golin, Noar, Massey, & Prinstein, 2016). After demonstrating the acceptability and efficacy of the HEART for Girls program (Widman, Golin, et al, 2018;Widman, Golin, Kamke, Massey, & Prinstein, 2017), our team spent one year adapting the program for use with both boys and girls. Although the program was not specifically adapted for transgender and gender non-binary youth, we employed gender inclusive language throughout the program so that all youth could complete the program and offer feedback on its utility.…”

Utilization of an Animated Electronic Health Video to Increase Knowledge of Post- and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Among African American Women: Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey (Preprint)

“…[8] It has been a catalyst in reducing HIV transmission in previously published studies, and it is cost effective as less training, preparation and physical time is required when compared a human-facilitated interventions. [8,10] For example, in a sample of adolescent females, computer-based interventions facilitated practice of sexual communication skills as a means to prevent HIV [11] while the participants experienced little to no embarrassment. [12] Additionally, audio and graphical components used in these interventions can reach individuals with limited levels of literacy.…”