Pilot Test of a Web-Based Decisional Support Intervention called Strong Women Stay Safe to Promote Safer Sex Behaviors in Young Women

Young women are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Currently, in the absence of effective vaccinations for all types of STIs, safer sexual behaviors are the most effective means of prevention. The purpose of this pilot study was to test the preliminary effects and feasibility of a new web-based, decisional support intervention that tailors information based upon each user’s individual risk profile. The intervention, based on decision and social cognitive theories, includes a gaming component to practice newly learned skills. Young college women (ages 18 – 25 years) are being recruited. A total of 80 women will be recruited (40 African American and 40 Caucasian). After IRB approval, a recruitment advertisement in an electronic newsletter was sent to every female undergraduate attending a large university (over 30,000 women). Interested women contacted the PI and were given a link to a secure online site where they read an informational letter. Upon giving consent, women can proceed to the pre-test questionnaires assessing demographic information, STI knowledge, self-efficacy, and sexual risk behaviors. Women then participate in the intervention. Post-test questionnaires (same as pre-test) are collected at 6 and 12 weeks. Metadata regarding women’s usage of the program are also collected. Data collection is still in process and will be complete in June. Data will be analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA. If effective, a larger study will be conducted with a more diverse group of women.