Behaviour change techniques in brief interventions to prevent HIV, STI and unintended pregnancies: A systematic review

Abstract

BackgroundBehaviour-change interventions have been consistently considered an essential part of comprehensive HIV, STI and unintended pregnancy prevention. In 2015, the World Health Organization reviewed and assessed existing evidence on brief behavioural interventions, leading to the publication of Brief sexuality-related communication: recommendations for a public health approach. This guideline recommends the use of brief behaviour intervention and communication programmes to promote sexual health and to prevent HIV, STIs, and unintended pregnancies in primary health services, particularly sexual and reproductive health services.ObjectiveWith the purpose of informing the development of a brief behaviour intervention in sexual and reproductive health, we conducted a systematic review of brief intervention to prevent HIV, STI and unintended pregnancies, to identify behaviour change techniques (BCTs) used in health care settings.MethodsParticipants from all ages and genders were included. Brief interventions delivered in ≤ 60 minutes were included. Data was extracted, and interventions were coded following the Behaviour Change Techniques Taxonomy (BCTTv1) guidelines.ResultsOf the 6.687 articles identified, 355 were reviewed and 37 studies were included. In effective interventions, we identified 48 behaviour change techniques (BCTs). A core set of 8 frequently used behaviour change techniques was identified: “Problem solving”, “Feedback on behaviour”, “Social support (unspecified)”, “Instructions on how to perform the behaviour”, “Information about health consequences”, “Information about social and environmental consequences”, “Demonstration of the behaviour” and “Credible source”.ConclusionsThe technical content of brief behaviour interventions was identified in a reliable and standardized way providing preliminary indications on potentially effective techniques to achieve behaviour change.

Determinants of usefulness in professional behaviour change interventions: observational study of a 15-year national program

“…This effect has been described in the context of health promotion. 33 34 This finding suggests that different techniques may independently solve different needs and the use of multiple techniques in the same intervention is not detrimental to effect. In our study, all behaviour change techniques aimed to help physicians in their decision-making process, such as suggesting the evidence-based recommended action, providing scientific information or translating patient information (eg, classifying the dosage as high or low instead of a quantity).…”

Test@Work Texts: Mobile Phone Messaging to Increase Awareness of HIV and HIV Testing in UK Construction Employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The decision to promote HIV awareness and testing alongside other aspects of health was based on prior participatory research showing that participants prefer this approach since it helps to normalise HIV and testing [ 52 ] due to perceived stigma around HIV that persists both in society and the construction industry [ 43 , 58 , 59 ]. Nineteen of the messages contained web links to evidence-based resources related to the message content since information coming from credible sources can promote positive behaviour change [ 60 ]. These web links directed to information that was freely accessible to the general public (e.g., Public Health England, NHS England, SH24.org).…”

Test@Work Texts: Mobile Phone Messaging to Increase Awareness of HIV and HIV Testing in UK Construction Employees During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The decision to promote HIV awareness and testing alongside other aspects of health was based on prior participatory research showing that participants prefer this approach since it helps to normalise HIV and test ing [48] due to perceived stigma around HIV that persists both in society and the construction industry [38,53,54]. Nineteen of the messages contained web links to evidence-based resources related to the message content since information coming from credible sources can promote positive behaviour change [55]. These web links directed to information that was freely accessible to the general public (e.g.…”

“…The COM-B model is used extensively in behaviour change interventions, and it assumes behaviour is the result of an interaction between three components: capability, opportunity, and motivation. The model has been used to identify enablers and barriers to sexual health services and workplace health interventions in several studies [13,55,[59][60][61][62][63]. Messages were designed to include the common elements of effective behaviour change techniques for HIV and STI health promotion as identified in a prior systematic review: a) problem solving; b) feedback on behaviour; c) social support (unspecified); d) instructions on how to perform the behaviour; e) information about health consequences; f) information about social and environmental consequences; g) demonstration of the behaviour; and h) credible source [55].…”