JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The research team, with taitamariki (young people), developed a smartphone app (Harmonised) for taitamariki (young people aged 13- 17 years) to promote healthy intimate partner relationships. The app also provides a pathway for friends and family or whānau (indigenous Māori extended family networks) to learn how to offer better support to taitamariki. The aim of our taitamariki- and Māori-centred study is to evaluate implementation of the app in secondary schools.

Objective:

To test effectiveness of the app in increasing taitamariki partner relationship self-efficacy (primary outcome).

Methods:

We conducted a pragmatic randomised stepped wedge trial in eight Aotearoa New Zealand secondary schools (year 9 through year 13). The eight participating secondary schools were randomly assigned to implement the app in one of two school terms. The RE-AIM framework guided our selection of mixed data collection methods. We aimed to recruit 600 taitamariki enrolled across the eight schools to participate by completing five online surveys over the 15-month trial period. Taitamariki partner relationship self-efficacy (primary outcome); and well-being, general health, cyber safety management and connectedness (secondary outcomes) were assessed at each survey. The general efficacy hypotheses will be tested using a linear mixed model, with nested participant/year group/school random effects. The primary analysis will also include testing efficacy in the Māori subgroup.

Results:

The study was funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in October 2015 and approved by the Auckland University of Technology Ethics Committee (AUTEC) on 03 May 2017 (17/71). Eight schools were recruited, with data collection occurring between February 2018 and November 2019. The study is in the dissemination phase with priority for schools, taitamariki and community advisory groups.

Conclusions:

This study will generate robust evidence measuring the impact of introducing a healthy relationship app into secondary schools on taitamariki partner relationship self-efficacy, well-being, general health, cyber safety management and connectedness. This taitamariki- and indigenous Māori-centred research fills an important gap in developing and testing strengths-based mHealth interventions in secondary schools. Clinical Trial: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619001262190, retrospectively registered 12 September 2019.