JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Participatory education, in the form of peer education, may be an effective way to promote youth sexual health. With the advent of the Internet, web-based interventions have the potential to be an attractive new tool for sexual health promotion by peers.

Objective:

The aim of the study is to evaluate professional experts’ opinions on the perspectives for web-based participatory interventions to promote sexual health by peers and among young people.

Methods:

Semi-directive interviews were carried out with 20 experts (stakeholders in direct contact with young people, researchers and institutional actors) specializing in sexual health, health promotion, peer education, youth, internet, and social media. After coding with N’Vivo®, data were analyzed using a qualitative thematic analysis.

Results:

The majority of experts (n=18) found this kind of intervention attractive, but highlighted the necessary conditions, risks and limitations attached to developing an acceptable peer intervention on the Internet for sexual health promotion among young people. Analysis identified four main themes: i) Taking advantage of the Internet to create a relevant and attractive web-based intervention; ii) Diversity of internet skills and uses required to address sexual health, with a need for moderation; iii) Multi-faceted peers who can participate in their own participatory education and iv) Involvement of minority peers in an inclusive approach to action. In the absence of young interest from institutional messages, the experts highlighted the attractive participatory features of web-based interventions, and the need for geo-localized resources. However, as to the possibility of integrating peers into education, they warned of the limitations: peers should not be mere messengers, and should remain peers so as not to be outsiders to the target group.

Conclusions:

The experts agreed that web-based participatory interventions for youth sexual health promotion must be tailored to needs, uses and preferences. This type of action requires youth involvement, in an inclusive and holistic sexual health approach. Peer education can be implemented via the Internet, but the design of the intervention also requires not being too institutional. Involving young people in their own education in an interactive safe online space has the potential to develop their empowerment and to foster long-term positive behaviors, especially in the area of sexual health.