JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Despite the high prevalence of sexual problems, there are both individual-level and system-level barriers to accessing help from a health professional. Online sexual health interventions may be more acceptable to people compared to face-to-face support. The Dutch public Sexual Health Clinics (SHCs) organized a pilot study with four Online Self Training Programs (OSTPs) among young people (16-24 years). In addition to a basic sexual health program, the OSTPs focused on the following complaints: pain during intercourse, premature ejaculation and no sex drive.

Objective:

The objective of the pilot study was to gain insight into (1) the extent to which OSTPs are able to reach target groups that are less likely to use the traditional services of the clinics; and (2) how young people and (3) nurses who normally deal with these problems during their consultation hours evaluate these OSTPs.

Methods:

A mixed-method study was conducted among the young users of OSTPs and nurses of the Dutch SHCs). First, a quantitative baseline and a follow-up measurement were carried out among the young users. In addition, qualitative data was gathered by telephone interviews among a sample of respondents of the follow-up measurement and nurses of the SHCs. Recruitment of participants was organized through advertisements on social media, posters at locations where the young target group is present, and through referrals from the consultation hours of the SHCs.

Results:

In a period of six months, a total of 1,028 young people completed the baseline measurement, 666 started with one of the OSTPs, 104 participants completed the follow up measurement. In addition, 8 young users and 8 nurses were interviewed. Despite the fact that not all participants complete the OSTPs, most participants are positive about them. The nurses also see added value in the OSTPs as additional services of SHCs.

Conclusions:

OSTPs can reach large numbers of young people with sexual problems who have not yet sought help from a health professional. Direct benefits occur for some of the participants and are expressed in a decrease in the level of complaints, more satisfaction with their sex life and more knowledge and understanding of the complaints experienced. Indirect benefits relate to normalization of the sexual problems, making it easier to communicate with a sex partner or seek further help from a health professional.