Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Sep 12, 2023
Date Accepted: Jan 31, 2024
A Nurse-led Brief Intervention for Enhancing Safe Sex Practice among Emerging Adults in Hong Kong Using Instant Messaging: A Feasibility Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
The incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has been increasing throughout the world. Additionally, substantial changes in emerging adults’ attitudes toward sex and the popularization of premarital sex could further affect the diagnosis and treatment of STIs. With the high acceptability and effectiveness of instant messaging (IM) interventions for health promotion, there is potential for such intervention to improve condom use knowledge and promote safer sex practice.
Objective:
The study evaluates the feasibility of a nurse-led IM intervention to promote safer sex practices in emerging adults.
Methods:
A 30-minute adaptive IM intervention and a 5-day booster dose of daily messages after 2 weeks via WhatsApp were conducted with Hong Kong emerging adults aged 18 to 29, with prior sexual experience, in local universities. A questionnaire was distributed one week after the intervention that measures the consistency in condom use, change in condom use knowledge and attitudes, and the acceptability of the intervention. The feasibility of the intervention was assessed by Bowen’s feasibility framework.
Results:
Twenty participants completed the intervention and questionnaire. Results showed (1) high satisfaction level (mean satisfaction score: 9.10 over 10), (2) high demand of the intervention (retention rate: 95.2%), (3) smooth implementation of the intervention, (4) high practicality (65% of the participants views IM to be an effective mean), (5) potential integration of the intervention, and (6) significant mean increase on condom use knowledge and attitudes (mean increase = 9.05, t = 3.727, 95% CI: 3.97 - 14.13, P = .001).
Conclusions:
The IM intervention was feasible, acceptable, and with potential impacts on improving safer sex practices. These findings will support the future development of IM intervention in the arena of sexual health promotion. Clinical Trial: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Hong Kong/ Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster (UW-20-299).
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