SAAFE will be pilot tested in 2 geographically distinct areas (Washington, DC and Deep South) with 100 participants from each site to 1) primarily assess the efficacy of improved self-efficacy, knowledge about HIV/STIs and perception of sexual risks by AAAs, and (2) secondarily detect intention to be tested for STIs and to change sexual risk behavior (i.e., use a condom).
A total of 200 African American adolescents (AAA) males and females will be recruited from Washington, DC (n=100) and Birmingham, Alabama (n=100). At both data collection sites, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups during the pilot. The two groups are: 1. Intervention group (n=100) - will consist of 50 AAA males / 50 AAA females randomly selected participants who will receive a download of the SAAFE game and play for at least 30 minutes and as long as an hour, if desired. 2. Control group (n=100) - will consist of 50 AAA males / 50 AAA females randomly selected participants. This group will receive dating sim game (called Choices). They will also receive pamphlets that provide information on the testing location and care if they have HIV/STI.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
178
After completing the pre-game assessment, participants will be asked to play the SAAFE game for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour . At the conclusion of the game, participants will be provided with a post-game assessment about their perception of risk, knowledge of specific protective behaviors, and whether they plan to change behaviors.
This group will receive dating sim game (called Choices). They will also receive pamphlets that provide information on the testing location and care if they have HIV/STI.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Medstar Washington Hospital Center
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States
Knowledge about HIV/STIs
During the pilot, adolescents will be asked if they would like to download the game to play on their own mobile device and complete a pre- and post-game assessment designed to measure their knowledge on HIV/STIs by assessing the level of knowledge around risky sexual activity.
Time frame: 1 month
Perception of sexual risks
During the pilot, adolescents will be asked if they would like to download the game to play on their own mobile device and complete a pre- and post-game assessment designed to measure their perceived risk
Time frame: 1 month
Intention to be tested for STIs
We will ask participants on a scale of 1-5 their intent to get tested for HIV and most common STI's.
Time frame: 1 month
Intention to use a condom
We will ask participants on a scale of 1-5, their intent to use a condom.
Time frame: 1 month
Consent
We will ask participants on a 4-point Likert scale (strongly agree to strongly disagree)
Time frame: 1 month
System Usability and Acceptability Metrics
We will ask participants to answer the questions based on their current impressions on the game.
Time frame: 1 month
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