TeensTalkHealth: An interactive website to promote healthy relationships and prevent STIs

Background: Innovative health service approaches are needed to promote healthy sexual development and relationships among youth and to prevent STIs and pregnancy. Methods: We conduct a summative process evaluation of TeensTalkHealth, an interactive website designed to promote healthy relationships and condom use. The 4-month website intervention features moderated discussion between adolescents, whose identities are protected, and health educators on message boards. Video vignettes of young role models who provide information, motivation, and behavioral skills serve as conversation catalysts. Between May, 2011 and February, 2012, we tracked website visitation and task completion (e.g., video vignette viewing, messaging, survey completion) of 92 adolescents aged 14-18, who were recruited for a feasibility study through clinics and schools. Results: By January, 2012, 6 of 7 cohorts (n=62) had completed the intervention. Across the 6 cohorts, participants completing at least 75% of 15 requested tasks per month were as follows: Month 1 (58-83%); Month 2 (40-73%); Month 3 (50-64%); Month 4 (33-64%). Average monthly survey completion rates ranged between 70-92%. Additional analyses among all 7 cohorts will correlate degree of exposure with the following perceptions: (1) website's encouragement of condom use; (2) condom use norms among website users; (3) health educators' responsiveness to relationship concerns and condom use barriers; (4) personal relevance of website content; (5) credibility of video vignette role models and health educators; (6) health educators' respect for autonomy; (7) engagement; (8) comfort; (9) website privacy; (10) accessibility/ease of use. Conclusions: Interactive technology is a promising tool to foster healthy decision-making among youth.