Moving towards online-based STI testing and treatment services for young people: Who will use it and what do they want?

Ludwick, Teralynn; Walsh, Olivia; Cardwell, Trey; Chang, Shanton; Kong, Fabian; Hocking, Jane S.

doi:10.1097/olq.0000000000001899

Cited by 2 publications

References 35 publications

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Providing adolescent-friendly sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment services

Friedman,

Cannon,

Tyson

et al. 2024

Current Opinion in Obstetrics &Amp; Gynecology

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Purpose of review There are high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. Adolescents and young adults (AYA) ages 15–24 years remain one of the populations that is most vulnerable to STIs. The goal of this review is to summarize recent international updates in adolescent STI screening and treatment. Recent findings Normalizing sexual history taking and STI testing, and advocating for adolescents to receive comprehensive sexuality education improves stigma surrounding sexual health. The global rise in syphilis is pervasive and includes high rates of infection among AYA and women of reproductive age – universal screening may be indicated depending on local epidemiology. Gonococcal antimicrobial resistance remains a significant public health concern worldwide, thus judicious use of antimicrobials and reporting cases of resistance is crucial. Sexual health services are increasingly using virtual platforms, which may be an effective strategy for STI testing and treatment among AYA. Summary Specific areas of focus to address the STI epidemic among AYA include reducing stigma surrounding sexual health, screening, and treatment of STIs, especially with the global rise in syphilis and high rates of gonorrhea resistance, in addition to increased use of telehealth services as effective education and intervention strategies.

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Providing adolescent-friendly sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment services

Friedman,

Cannon,

Tyson

et al. 2024

Current Opinion in Obstetrics &Amp; Gynecology

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Using human-centered design to inform the design and social marketing strategy for a web-based STI/BBV testing service for young people in Victoria, Australia: qualitative research (Preprint)

Cardwell,

Chang,

Walsh

et al. 2024

Preprint

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BACKGROUND The rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to rise across Australia among 16 to 29-year-olds. Timely testing is needed to reduce transmission, but sexual health clinics are at capacity. This demand, coupled with barriers to getting tested faced by young people, has led to web-based services as a pragmatic solution. However, for young people to utilize these services, they must be acceptable, attractive, and usable. Social marketing principles combined with human-centered design can be used to develop a web-based service and create a marketing strategy to attract them to the service. OBJECTIVE To use human-centered design guided by social marketing principles to explore messaging and imagery design elements and promotional strategies to develop the optimal, achievable web-based STI/BBV testing service for young people in Victoria, Australia. METHODS Young people were recruited through youth organisations and targeted Meta (Facebook and Instagram) advertisements. An initial online survey was deployed to inform the content of focus group workshops. Workshops were based in participant’s residential locations- metropolitan, outer-metropolitan, and regional Victoria. During the workshops, young people discussed aspects to inform the design and attract users to a web-based STI/BBV testing service– social marketing principles guided human-centered design of messaging, imagery and promotional strategies to reach young people. Data collected through mixed-methods (transcribed notes, audio recording and physical outputs) were thematically analyzed to inform the service brand and marketing plans. RESULTS A total of 45 people completed the initial survey with 17 participating in focus group workshops (metropolitan=8, outer-metropolitan=6, regional=3). Young people preferred messages that highlight the functional benefits (confidential, affordable, accessible) of a web-based service and include professional imagery and logos that elicit trust. Young people indicated that the service should be promoted through digital communications (e.g. dating apps, social media), with endorsement from government or other recognised institutions, and via word-of-mouth communications. CONCLUSIONS This study has highlighted the value of applying social marketing theory to human centered design in developing a web-based STI/BBV testing service. Through the voices of young people, we have established the foundations to inform the design and marketing for Victoria’s first publicly funded web-based STI/BBV testing clinic. Future research will measure the reach and efficacy of social marketing strategy, and how this service complements existing services in increasing STI/BBV testing uptake among young Victorian’s.

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Moving towards online-based STI testing and treatment services for young people: Who will use it and what do they want?

Cited by 2 publications

References 35 publications

Providing adolescent-friendly sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment services

Providing adolescent-friendly sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment services

Using human-centered design to inform the design and social marketing strategy for a web-based STI/BBV testing service for young people in Victoria, Australia: qualitative research (Preprint)

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