Abstract
Planned Parenthood's Chat/Text: What differences are there between providing the same intervention via text and instant message?
Nicole Levitz, MPH, Erica P. Wood, Deborah S. Levine, MSW, MAT and Leslie Kantor, PhD, MPH
Planned Parenthood Federation of America, New York, NY
APHA 2016 Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2016)
The Chat/Text program enables adolescents and young adults to contact health educators through text, mobile instant messaging, or desktop instant messaging to ask questions about birth control, emergency contraception, STD testing, pregnancy testing, or abortion. Health educators answer any question related to these topics using behavioral theory and communication science to encourage positive health behaviors. Differences in outcomes using the same intervention protocol between text, mobile chat, and instant messaging were examined. Chatters freely choose which of the three modalities they would like to engage an educator. Preliminary analysis found that on average SMS users are younger (mean age 18.84) than both mobile (mean age 19.1) and desktop chatters (mean age 20.9). SMS users are also significantly more likely to be people of color. There were no significant differences in use by gender across all three modalities. Further analysis of data from the first six months of 2016 will be conducted using structural equation modeling. Focusing on how the choice of modality effects chatter confidence in completing the action plan established during the course of the chat.
Public health or related education Public health or related research Social and behavioral sciences
Abstract
Reaching youth where they're at: An assessment of the Youth Peer Provider Model
Marcos Arevalo, MD, MPH, MA and JoAnn DiLernia, DrPHc, MPH, CPH
Planned Parenthood Federation of America, New York, NY
APHA 2016 Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2016)
Background:
The needs of young people (<25) for age appropriate sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services are not being met. To address this Planned Parenthood Global's Youth Peer Provider (YPP) model works to increase contraceptive use among adolescents. The program uses youth to reach peers with SRH information and services. YPPs work in rural and urban settings in Africa and Latin America, and have served more than 2 million youth clients since 2011.
Methods:
An assessment of YPP projects was conducted using analysis of existing documentation, site visits, interviews, and/or focus group discussions in Kenya and Ecuador.
Findings:
The YPP program eliminates barriers to youth seeking services including lack of trust, stigma and embarrassment, and cost. Clients stated that they trusted YPPs and that YPPs provided services outside mainstream sites, where they feared being mistreated or reported to their parents . Additionally, services and commodities are provided free or at very reduced prices. Clinic staff reported increases (20-50%) in the number of youth starting and continuing contraception; community members reported seeing fewer adolescents becoming pregnant and subsequently abandoning school.
The program has challenges. Turnover is high, with YPPs leaving the program after a year or two for paying jobs. Financial sustainability must be addressed.
Lessons learned:
The YPP model is adaptable and can be implemented even by non-health organizations. YPPs help clients who may not know how to navigate the traditional health system. They're also able to use technology to aid their counseling.
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice Program planning Public health or related research
Abstract
Findings from a National Randomized Controlled Trial of Planned Parenthood's Chat/Text Program
Leslie Kantor, PhD, MPH1, Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, PhD, MPH, ANP-BC2, James Jaccard, PhD2, Sherry Estabrook, MA1, Gabriel Robles, MSW2 and Deborah S. Levine, MSW, MAT1
(1)Planned Parenthood Federation of America, New York, NY, (2)New York University, New York, NY
APHA 2016 Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2016)
Young people are increasingly utilizing technology to seek sexual and reproductive health information. Developing effective technology-based interventions has the potential to greatly expand the reach of public health practice. Five years ago, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) developed a national Chat/Text program for teens and young adults with a focus on addressing sexual and reproductive health disparities. Chat/Text allows young people to confidentially ask sexual and reproductive health questions of a health educator who provides medically accurate information and uses behavioral theory and communication science to encourage positive health behaviors. PPFA engaged investigators from New York University to conduct a rigorous randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of Chat/Text at changing relevant health behaviors, such as time to healthcare, utilization of healthcare, and choice and use of birth control. Participants were randomized to either speak with a Chat/Text educator about their sexual health questions, or engage in the control activity: browsing the Planned Parenthood website for information. The study collected data at four time points—immediately following the intervention or control activity, then at 10 days, 30 days and 3 months. This presentation will provide an overview of the findings and lessons about both programmatic interventions and digital research that can be used by others.
Public health or related education Public health or related research Social and behavioral sciences
Abstract
Combining Text Messaging and the Teen Outreach Program to Impact Teen Sexual Health Behavior: A Cluster Randomized Trial
Sheana Bull, PhD, MPH1, Sharon Devine, JD, PhD2, Sarah Schmiege, PhD3, Leslie Pickard, BA4, Jon Campbell, PhD5 and Judith Shlay, MD, MSPH6
(1)Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, (2)University of Colorado, Denver, Denver, CO, (3)Colorado School of Public Health, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, (4)Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, Denver, CO, (5)University of Colorado, Skaggs School of Pharmacy, Aurora, CO, (6)Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, CO
APHA 2016 Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2016)
Objective: We combined Youth All Engaged (a theory-based, interactive and engaging text message intervention), with an evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention program--the Teen Outreach Program ® (control) for youth in Boys & Girls Clubs to consider if mobile technology can intensify health intervention effects.
Methods: We randomized 32 club/year combinations to intervention or control. 852 youth aged 14-18 enrolled in the study and 632 were retained at follow-up with analytic samples ranging from 50 to 624 across outcomes. We examined program costs and whether the intervention increased condom and contraceptive use, access to care, and pregnancy prevention.
Results: Control program costs were $1184 per participant and intervention costs were an additional $126 per participant, a 10.6% increase. There were no statistically significant differences in primary outcomes for the full sample. Hispanics in the intervention condition had fewer pregnancies at follow-up (1.79%) than those in the control (6.72%) (p=0.02) (with a notable inability to establish baseline equivalence on this outcome).
Conclusions: Youth All Engaged is feasible, low cost, and could have potential benefits for Hispanics. Additional investigations are needed to improve program effects for other populations.
Communication and informatics Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice Diversity and culture Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Social and behavioral sciences