Personal Responsibility Education Program Innovative Strategies: Digital Initiative for Youth

University of California, San Francisco1,260 enrolled

Overview

This randomized control trial (RCT) will assess an innovative demonstration project to improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health among highly mobile and marginalized youth in Fresno County, California. The Digital Initiative for Youth intervention combines existing, in-person, group-based, comprehensive sexual health education with wraparound digital technologies. The technological component was designed by Youth+Tech+Health using a "youth-centered" design approach and the intervention is implemented by Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (Fresno EOC). The University of California, San Francisco is the external evaluator. The RCT will assess health and behavioral outcomes at three time points (baseline, 4 months, 10 months).

The Digital Initiative for Youth (DIY) is an innovative, youth-centered, digital intervention that aims to improve the health and well-being of adolescents ages 13-19 in Fresno County, California. In particular, it will address the needs of homeless and unstably housed youth, youth of color, sexual minority youth, and Native American youth using a trauma-informed approach and positive youth development framework. DIY combines existing, in-person, group-based, comprehensive sexual health education with an app designed in consultation with youth. DIY is built on three strategies: positive youth development, youth-centered design, and wraparound technologies. It will focus on four main areas: sexual health and contraceptive use, healthy relationships, educational and career development, and life skills. The intervention includes six hours of in-person education and an app that includes a resource locator, goal setting, text message reminders, and additional information and referrals. This study is funded through the Personal Responsibility Education Program Innovative Strategies (PREIS), which is administered by the Family and Youth Services Bureau, part of Health and Human Services, Fresno EOC is responsible for site and participant recruitment as well as the implementation of the intervention. Participants are randomized at the cohort (group) level. All control group participants will be invited to participate after completion of the long-term follow up period.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

Interventions

In the Know: sexual health educationOTHER

The in-person sessions include modules on: sexual and reproductive health (2 hours - anatomy, gender and sexual orientation, pregnancy, contraception, sexually transmitted infections); healthy relationships and life skills (2 hours - communication and negotiation, consent, violence, online dating, goal setting, strengths); and educational and career success (2 hours - educational and career options, applying for scholarships and financial aid, job readiness, resume preparation, interview skills). The app includes: online referrals, personal life plans/goal setting, text message reminders, quizzes, and other resources.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Self-reported condom/contraceptive use or no sex in the last three months on survey

Answered some or all of the time to: In the past 3 months, how often did you or a partner use birth control when you had vaginal sex OR In the past 3 months, how often did you use condoms when you had anal sex? Respondents complete computer-based survey. Survey developed by University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

Time frame: Short term follow up (3 months)

Self-reported use of any clinic services in the last three months on survey

Checked any services from survey list after question, "Please check all of the services you have received from a doctor, counselor, therapist, social worker, or clinic in the past 3 months." Respondents complete computer-based survey. Survey developed by UCSF.

Time frame: Long-term follow up (9 months)

Secondary Outcomes

Self-reported sexual risk behavior on survey

Respondents provide number of sexual partners in past 3 months on computer-based survey. Survey developed by UCSF.

Time frame: Short-term follow up (3 months)

Self-reported knowledge of local clinical services on survey

Answered yes to question on computer-based survey: "Have you heard of a clinic or doctor in your community where teens can get sexual health information and services such as condoms, birth control, pregnancy tests, sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests/treatment, and/or HIV tests?" Survey developed by UCSF.