Reduction in a high‐risk sex script among young urban women in the Love, Sex, & Choices web video HIV prevention intervention study

Abstract

For women, the high-risk sex script of condomless sex to maintain relationships with men is concerning, particularly in regard to heterosexual HIV acquisition. This secondary analysis of data from a clinical trial evaluated the effect of a 12-episode, web-based video series intervention, entitled Love, Sex, and Choices, versus a text message control on lowering the high-risk sex script. The sample comprised 238 predominately urban Black women, ages 18-29, having HIV sex risk behavior. Data were collected at baseline and 6 months post-intervention. The Sex Script Video Response score was used to measure a high-risk sex script. HIV sex risk behavior was measured by Vaginal Equivalent Episodes with high-risk partners. At baseline, lower education, younger age at first sexual intercourse, and alcohol/non-injection drug use before sex were positively associated with a high-risk sex script. At baseline, as the high-risk sex script increased by one log unit, sex risk behavior increased by 0.47 log units (p < 0.001), equivalent to a 60% increase in the geometric mean of sex risk behavior. ANCOVA analysis indicated that from baseline to 6-months post intervention, lowering the high-risk sex script by one unit was associated with an additional reduction of 0.26 units in sex risk behavior. Compared to the text messages, the LSC video series was associated with a 27% greater reduction in the geometric mean of the sex script (p = 0.03). Further investigation into the effect of lowering sex scripts to reduce sex risk behavior is recommended. K E Y W O R D SHIV risk, sex scripts, web-based soap opera video intervention, women

Developing Culturally Tailored mHealth Tools to Address Sexual and Reproductive Health Outcomes Among Black and Latina Women: A Systematic Review

“…The majority of studies ( n = 10) targeted adolescents and young adults ranging from ages 13 to 29 years (Card et al, 2011; Castaño et al, 2012; Chernick et al, 2017; Danielson et al, 2013; DiClemente et al, 2014; González Gladstein, 2018; Jones et al, 2013; Jones & Hoover, 2018; Klein & Card, 2011; Manlove et al, 2020). One study targeted a broader age range of 18 to 50 years (Billings et al, 2015), and one study targeted all individuals older than 18 years (El-Bassel et al, 2014).…”

“…One study targeted a broader age range of 18 to 50 years (Billings et al, 2015), and one study targeted all individuals older than 18 years (El-Bassel et al, 2014). Both Black and Latina women were included in seven studies (Castaño et al, 2012; Chernick et al, 2017; El-Bassel et al, 2014; González Gladstein, 2018; Jones et al, 2013; Jones & Hoover, 2018; Manlove et al, 2020). Five studies exclusively targeted Black women (Billings et al, 2015; Card et al, 2011; Danielson et al, 2013; DiClemente et al, 2014; Wingood et al, 2011).…”

“…Increased condom use was the most common primary outcome measure reported among studies (Billings et al, 2015; Card et al, 2011; Danielson et al, 2013; DiClemente et al, 2014; El-Bassel et al, 2014; Jones et al, 2013; Jones & Hoover, 2018; Klein & Card, 2011). Two studies reported oral contraception initiation and adherence as their primary outcome measures (Castaño et al, 2012; Chernick et al, 2017).…”

“…Seven studies employed mobile phone– or telephone-based interventions. Interventions included text messaging (Castaño et al, 2012; Chernick et al, 2017), mobile phone apps (González Gladstein, 2018; Manlove et al, 2020), videophone devices (Jones et al, 2013; Jones & Hoover, 2018), and a telephone-based counseling intervention (DiClemente et al, 2014). The majority ( n = 5) of these interventions incorporated content that was tailored toward culture and/or gender (DiClemente et al, 2014; González Gladstein, 2018; Jones et al, 2013; Jones & Hoover, 2018; Manlove et al, 2020).…”

Young Adults’ Responses to an African and US-Based COVID-19 Edutainment Miniseries: Real-Time Qualitative Analysis of Online Social Media Engagement

“…The quick dissemination of accurate information has been an essential priority to educate the global public about the transmission and prevention of the novel SARS-CoV-2. Mass media is a cost-effective method for reaching and informing large populations quickly, like the TV and radio dramas used to educate captive audiences about the HIV epidemic [ 1 - 5 ]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media platforms used algorithms to direct its over 2 billion users toward trusted sources of information and flag misinformation, though it has also been responsible for fueling rumors, hoaxes, and misinformation about COVID-19 [ 6 , 7 ].…”