Texting 4 Sexual Health: Improving Attitudes, Intention, and Behavior Among American Indian and Alaska Native Youth. Issue 6 (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yao, Patricia; Fu, Rongwei; Craig Rushing, Stephanie; Stephens, David; Ash, Joan S.; Eden, Karen B.
• Is Part Of: Health promotion practice. Volume 19:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: 833
• Page End: 843
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: mobile health -- text messaging intervention -- American Indian -- sexual health -- adolescent -- before–after design; Health promotion -- Periodicals; Health promotion -- United States -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Health education -- United States -- Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1177/1524839918761872
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1524-8399

Abstract

Purpose . To design and test the effectiveness of a text messaging intervention to promote condom use and STI/HIV testing among American Indian and Alaska Native youth. Method . A total of 408 study participants, 15 to 24 years old, were recruited, consented, surveyed, were sent intervention messages, and were incentivized via text message over a 9-month period. Complete pre- and postsurvey data were collected from 192 participants using SMS short codes. A mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to analyze before–after change in responses assessing sexual health knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, intention, and behavior. Results . Participants' condom use attitude, condom use behavior, and STI/HIV testing intention improved after the intervention ( p < .05). Frequent condom use increased from 30% to 42% and was retained by participants at least 3 months postintervention, and the intervention improved participants' intention to get tested for STI/HIV after changing sexual partners, increasing from 46% to 58% postintervention. Conclusions . Given the widespread use of cell phones by youth, text-based interventions may offer a feasible and effective tool to promote condom use and STI/HIV testing.