Development and Pilot-Testing of an Internet-Based STI and HIV Prevention Intervention (I-STIPI) Among Chilean Young Women

Villegas, Natalia

Tuesday, 23 July 2013: 3:50 PM

Natalia Villegas, PhD, MSN, RN¹
Daniel Santisteban, PhD, BA, Psychology¹
Rosina Cianelli, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN²
Nilda (Nena) Peragallo, DrPH, RN, FAAN³
Lilian Ferrer, PhD, MSN, RN⁴
Todd Ambrosia, PhD, MSN, FNP-BC, FACC¹
(1)School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
(2)Schol of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami; Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Coral Gables, FL
(3)Schol of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
(4)Escuela de Enfermeria, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Macul, Chile

Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to identify the principal aspects to develop and pilot an internet STI and HIV prevention intervention for youth.

Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to identify relevant aspects related to the use of technology

Purpose : Chilean young women between 18 and 24 years old are at high risk of contracting STI and HIV. The literature shows a shortage of STI and HIV prevention interventions focused on this population. Internet based interventions are promising for delivering STI and HIV prevention interventions. The purpose of this study was to develop and pilot-test an internet based STI and HIV prevention intervention for Chilean women between 18 and 24 years old.

Methods: The design of the I-STIPI was divided into two stages: (a) development, and (b) piloting. The development stage included consultation with 3 panels of experts for the development of content of the I-STIPI based on the HIV prevention intervention called Mano a Mano-Mujer, development of the technical features of the I-STIPI, and the creation of the I-STIPI website with its own web hosting service and domain. The piloting stage was a prospective cohort study (pre-post test). Forty Chilean young women participated in the I-STIPI in order to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention, and the change on STI and HIV prevention related outcomes between baseline and one-month post baseline assessment.

Results: The I-STIPI was feasible and acceptable for young women. The I-STIPI increased significantly young women’s levels of STI and HIV related knowledge, motivation regarding the attitudes toward the use of condoms, behavioral skills in relation with perceived self efficacy for STI and HIV and preventive behaviors related with the reduction of the number of sexual partners and risky sexual behaviors with uncommitted partners.

Conclusion: The intervention had a preliminary impact in STI and HIV related outcomes. I-STIPI might benefit young women through the reduction of barriers for accessing preventive interventions and increasing interest in prevention programs.

See more of: Using Technology to Enhance Quality of Life in Young Adults
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