From idea to proof of concept: How to create an impactful HIV/STD/teen pregnancy-focused motion comic for young people

Health communication storytelling is a proven means of changing health-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behavioral intentions (KABI).  Comics are a low-cost and easily implemented storytelling form.   Technological advances provide new storytelling methods such as “motion comics”, which add voice actors, sound and music for enhanced cinematic experiences.  We developed a HIV/STD-focused motion comic using the “Sabido Method” to create entertaining education content intended to improve KABI regarding HIV/STD prevention among young adults. Three rounds of focus groups (n=218; 27 total focus groups) were conducted with young persons  15-24 years to produce and evaluate the motion comic intervention.  In round one, participants were asked about HIV/STD knowledge, health information sources, attitudes toward HIV/STD testing, and condom use, as well as preferences for character types and comic story elements.  Pregnancy emerged as more of a concern in some groups and was incorporating into the intervention.   In round two, participants provided feedback on preliminary characters and draft storylines.  Participants expressed preferences for comics with: 1) conventional settings; 2) realistic art; 3) a balance of humor, drama and suspense; and, 4) entertaining stories without overt HIV/STD prevention messages.  Data gathered in rounds one and two were used to inform the development of the motion comic intervention.  In round three, three seven-minute motion comic episodes were pilot tested to determine their impact on HIV/STD/teen pregnancy-related KABI.  Pre and post-viewing feedback from participants indicated that the intervention significantly improved knowledge, and intentions to engage in protective behaviors, and significantly decreased HIV/STD stigma (p<0.05).