Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Jun 11, 2021
Date Accepted: Aug 24, 2021
A Technology-Based Training Tool for a Health Promotion and Sex Education Program for Justice-Involved Youth: Pilot Test
ABSTRACT
Background:
Background:
Justice-involved youth are especially vulnerable to mental health distress, substance misuse, and risky sexual activity, amplifying the need for evidence-based programs (EBP). Yet, uptake of EBPs in the justice system is challenging because staff training is costly in time and effort. Hence, justice-involved youth experience increasing health disparities despite the availability of EBPs.
Objective:
Objectives: To counter these challenges, this study developed and pilot tested a prototype of a technology-based training tool that teaches juvenile justice staff to deliver a uniquely tailored EBP for justice-involved youth – Preventing HIV/AIDS among Teens (PHAT Life). PHAT Life is a comprehensive sex education, mental health, and substance use EBP collaboratively designed and tested with guidance from key stakeholders and community members. The training tool addresses implementation barriers that impede uptake and sustainment of EBP, including staff training and support and implementation costs.
Methods:
Methods:
Staff (n = 11) from two juvenile justice settings pilot tested the technology-based training tool, which included five modules. Participants completed measures of HIV and STI knowledge, sex education confidence, and implementation outcomes, such as training satisfaction, adoption, implementation, acceptability, appropriateness, and sustainability. PHAT Life trainers assessed fidelity through two activity role-plays participants submitted upon completing the training modules.
Results:
Results:
Participants demonstrated increases in HIV and STI knowledge [t(10)=3.07, P=.01] and were very satisfied [M=4.42, SD=0.36] with the training tool and the PHAT Life curriculum. They believed that the training tool and curriculum could be adopted, implemented, and sustained within their settings as an appropriate and acceptable intervention and training.
Conclusions:
Conclusions:
Overall, the results from this pilot test demonstrate feasibility and support continuing efforts towards completing the training tool and evaluating it within a fully powered randomized control trial. Ultimately, this work will provide a scalable option for disseminating an EBP and offers a more cost-effective and sustainable way to train staff in an EBP.
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