scholarly journals Using mobile technology to promote safe sex and sexual health in adolescents: current practices and future recommendations

2016 ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Cornelius ◽  
Josephine Appiah
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Current Practices

Decision Analysis for Business to Adopt RFID

2007 ◽  
pp. 178-184
Author(s):  
K. Lin ◽  
C. Lin ◽  
H. Leu
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Computing ◽  
Decision Analysis ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Current Practices

The objectives of this article are to: (1) describe basic components of a mobile computing and commerce device, RFID; and (2) explore the current practices, issues, and applications in this mobile technology.

scholarly journals Mentoring Young African American Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex With Men on Sexual Health: Formative Research for an HIV Mobile Health Intervention for Mentors (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle R Kaufman ◽  
Albert Casella ◽  
John Mark Wiginton ◽  
Wenjian Xu ◽  
David L DuBois ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
African American ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
African American Men ◽  
Mentoring Relationships ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Healthy Behaviors ◽  
Sex With Men

BACKGROUND African American men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women bear a disproportionate burden of HIV. Young MSM account for 75% of this burden for youth. When youths lack socially protective resources such as strong networks of adults, including parents, teachers, or community members, mentors may play a critical role in promoting health behaviors. This is especially true for youth at risk for HIV, such as African American youth with sexual and gender minority (SGM) identities. In the past decade, natural mentoring and mentoring programs have proliferated as a key prevention and intervention strategy to improve outcomes for young people at risk for poor academic, social, and health issues. Mentors appear to be able to facilitate health promotion among young SGM by modeling healthy behaviors; however, mentors’ knowledge and resource needs regarding sexual health topics including HIV are understudied, as is the potential role of mobile technology in enhancing mentoring relationships and the ability of mentors to learn about sensitive issues faced by youth. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to explore how mentoring plays a role in the sexual health of African American SGM youth and understand how mentoring relationships can be strengthened through mobile technology to promote youth HIV prevention behaviors. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted with African American SGM youth mentees (n=17) and mentors (n=20) to such youths in 3 Mid-Atlantic cities. Mentee interviews focused on discussions regarding sexual health and HIV and how a mentor could broach such topics. Mentor interviews explored whether sexual health and HIV are currently mentoring topics, mentors’ knowledge and confidence in mentoring on these issues, and barriers to discussions. All participants were asked if a mobile app could help facilitate mentoring on sensitive health issues, particularly HIV and sexual health. Data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed for relevant themes. RESULTS Sexual health was a common topic in mentoring relationships, occurring more in natural mentorships than in mentoring program pairs. Mentors and mentees felt positive about such discussions. Mentors expressed having limited knowledge beyond condom use and HIV testing, and expressed a need for more complete resources. Both mentors and mentees had mixed comfort levels when discussing sexual health. Sufficient trust and shared lived experiences made discussions easier. Mentees have multifaceted needs; however, mentors stated that an app resource that provided self-training, resources, support from other mentors, and tips for better mentoring could prove beneficial. CONCLUSIONS For the African American SGM community, access to natural mentors is crucial for young people to learn healthy behaviors. A mobile resource to assist mentors in confidently having discussions with mentees may be a promising way to promote healthy practices.

Safe sex in chick lit: a ‘novel' analysis of sexual health references in popular women’s fiction

Sexual Health ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan S.C. Lim ◽  
Margaret E. Hellard ◽  
Danielle Horyniak
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Vaginal Intercourse ◽  
Sexual Content ◽  
Chick Lit ◽  
Sexual Encounters ◽  
Stimulation Of ◽  
Sex Practices

Background Media, including fiction novels, influences health behaviours in women’s lives. This research measures the prevalence of sexual content and explores the portrayal of sexual health topics in ‘chick lit’, a genre of fiction characterised by neoliberal feminism. Methods: Fifty bestselling chick lit novels were identified from the book-related website, Goodreads. Information was extracted on sexual encounters taking place: characters involved, behaviours depicted, references to contraception and other (un)safe sex practices. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse key features of sexual encounters, and thematic analysis conducted to explore the portrayal of (un)safe sex. Results: Forty-five books (90%) contained at least one sexual scene (total: 199 scenes). 110 scenes explicitly described sexual behaviours, mostly commonly vaginal intercourse (72%), manual stimulation of a woman (28%) or oral stimulation of a man (15%) or woman (15%), and 53% of scenes implied sexual intercourse occurred but did not describe the event. Condom use was described in 43% of scenes with clearly described vaginal intercourse, almost exclusively in scenes involving dating or casual partners. Condoms were portrayed as a ‘necessary evil’; although use was normalised, they were described as having negative effects on pleasure and intimacy. Conclusions: Portrayals of sexual encounters in chick lit are realistic and recognise that safe sex does not always occur. Despite references to condom use being prevalent, the portrayal of condoms in a negative light could discourage young women from their use. Chick lit could provide a ‘novel’ opportunity to model positive behaviours and promote discussion of safer sex practices.

Navigating unintelligibility: Queer Australian young women’s negotiations of safe sex and risk

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 306-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruby Grant ◽  
Meredith Nash
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Safer Sex ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Sexual Scripts ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Queer Women ◽  
Female Partners ◽  
Women’S Sexual Health ◽  
Public Health Promotion

Australian public health promotion positions safe sex as a biomedical, heteronormative concept. Consequently, there is a dearth of scholarly research examining queer young women’s sexual health. To fill this knowledge gap, this article considers how Australian bisexual and queer young women understand ‘safe sex’ and conceptualise ‘good’ sexual citizenship. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 15 participants in Tasmania, findings reveal that although queer women understand heterosexual safe sex, there is little awareness of safer sexual practices with female partners. We argue that gendered sexual scripts shape perceptions of sexual health risk whereby queer women adopt multiple situation-dependent approaches to safer sex.

scholarly journals Development of a Mobile Phone App to Promote Safe Sex Practice Among Youth in Stockholm, Sweden: Qualitative Study

10.2196/12917 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e12917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Nielsen ◽  
Aspasia Bågenholm ◽  
Ayesha De Costa
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Specific Information

Background Mobile health (mHealth) has been shown to be effective in increasing knowledge of sexual health among youth. To date, evaluations mostly refer to interventions delivered via computer, email, and text messages. The possibility of downloading apps on mobile devices has opened up opportunities to develop engaging interventions on safe sexual health promotion. To attract young users and have them engage with a sexual health app, it is important to involve youth in intervention development. Objective This study aimed to obtain input from youth on the content of a mobile phone app intended to promote safe sex and increase condom use among youth in Stockholm. Methods This study was conducted at the Youth Health Clinics (YHC) in Stockholm County, Sweden. A total of 15 individual in-depth interviews and 2 focus group discussions (with youth aged 18-23 years) were conducted at the YHC in Stockholm. Areas explored were: (1) youth perceptions of condom use (advantages and obstacles), (2) perceptions of mHealth to promote safe sexual practices, and (3) content development for a mobile phone app to promote safe sex. Results The smartphone app was developed based on the categories that emerged from the data. With regard to content, youth requested sex education, including information on sexually transmitted infections. In addition, condom-specific information, including practical usage technique, advice on how to have the condom talk, and how to decrease shame related to condom use, was requested. Youth suggested different modes to deliver the content, including text messages, movie clips, and push notifications. It was suggested that the tone of the messages delivered should be fun, entertaining, and supportive. The inputs from youth influenced the development of the following sections of the app: Condom Obstacles and Solutions; Quiz; Games; Self-Refection; Challenges; Stories by Peers (stories from peers and information from a doctor); Condom Tips, Pep Talk, and Boosting; and Random Facts. Conclusions It is important to use input from youth when developing a smartphone intervention since the success of the intervention largely depends on the level of engagement and usage by youth. Furthermore, if proven efficient in increasing condom use, it is important that the development, including content and mode, is thoroughly described so that the intervention can be replicated. Likewise, if proven inefficient, it is important to learn from mistakes to improve and adjust the intervention. The effect of this smartphone app on safe sexual practices among youth is being evaluated in a pragmatic randomized controlled trial in Stockholm (ISRCTN13212899) and will be reported separately.

Knowledge and Practices About Sexual Health and Its Socioeconomic Correlates Among Adolescent Girls in Sikkim, India

2021 ◽  
pp. 0972558X2110011
Author(s):  
Susmita Mukhopadhyay ◽  
Shailendra Kumar Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Socioeconomic Characteristics ◽  
Urban Girls ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Sexual Activities ◽  
Hiv Aids

Adolescents constitute a quarter of total Indian population. Many of them become sexually active despite being informed of the risks which they may encounter. The present study aims to address knowledge and perception on HIV/AIDS, STIs, and safe sex among adolescent girls (15 to 19years) in Sikkim, India. The study also evaluates their attitudes, and practices of sexual activities among their peer groups. The study is based on randomly selected 1031 unmarried adolescent girls residing in Gangtok, the capital town of Sikkim, and also in different blocks of the other three districts. The self-administered questionnaire was completed by participant girls to obtain data on socioeconomic characteristics, knowledge, awareness, and practices about sexual health issues such as HIV/AIDS, STIs, safe sex. Bivariate and multivariate analyses have been used for data analysis. Higher number of urban girls reported sexual activities among their peer group as compared to rural ones. However, unprotected sexual activity was reportedly higher among rural girls (10.26%). Results of multivariate analysis establishes role of media in raising sexual health awareness among girls in the study area. Role of socioeconomic characteristics of adolescents is important in raising awareness, building attitudes, and determining practices pertaining to sexual and reproductive health among them. Health care institutions along with media can raise awareness about sexuality and also can inculcate responsible sexual attitudes and practices among adolescents.

scholarly journals Development of a Mobile Phone App to Promote Safe Sex Practice Among Youth in Stockholm, Sweden: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Nielsen ◽  
Aspasia Bågenholm ◽  
Ayesha De Costa
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Specific Information

BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) has been shown to be effective in increasing knowledge of sexual health among youth. To date, evaluations mostly refer to interventions delivered via computer, email, and text messages. The possibility of downloading apps on mobile devices has opened up opportunities to develop engaging interventions on safe sexual health promotion. To attract young users and have them engage with a sexual health app, it is important to involve youth in intervention development. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to obtain input from youth on the content of a mobile phone app intended to promote safe sex and increase condom use among youth in Stockholm. METHODS This study was conducted at the Youth Health Clinics (YHC) in Stockholm County, Sweden. A total of 15 individual in-depth interviews and 2 focus group discussions (with youth aged 18-23 years) were conducted at the YHC in Stockholm. Areas explored were: (1) youth perceptions of condom use (advantages and obstacles), (2) perceptions of mHealth to promote safe sexual practices, and (3) content development for a mobile phone app to promote safe sex. RESULTS The smartphone app was developed based on the categories that emerged from the data. With regard to content, youth requested sex education, including information on sexually transmitted infections. In addition, condom-specific information, including practical usage technique, advice on how to have the condom talk, and how to decrease shame related to condom use, was requested. Youth suggested different modes to deliver the content, including text messages, movie clips, and push notifications. It was suggested that the tone of the messages delivered should be fun, entertaining, and supportive. The inputs from youth influenced the development of the following sections of the app: <i>Condom Obstacles and Solutions</i>; <i>Quiz</i>; <i>Games</i>; <i>Self-Refection</i>; <i>Challenges</i>; <i>Stories by Peers</i> (stories from peers and information from a doctor); <i>Condom Tips, Pep Talk, and Boosting</i>; and <i>Random Facts</i>. CONCLUSIONS It is important to use input from youth when developing a smartphone intervention since the success of the intervention largely depends on the level of engagement and usage by youth. Furthermore, if proven efficient in increasing condom use, it is important that the development, including content and mode, is thoroughly described so that the intervention can be replicated. Likewise, if proven inefficient, it is important to learn from mistakes to improve and adjust the intervention. The effect of this smartphone app on safe sexual practices among youth is being evaluated in a pragmatic randomized controlled trial in Stockholm (ISRCTN13212899) and will be reported separately.

scholarly journals African American Emerging Adult Perspectives on Unintended Pregnancy and Meeting Their Needs With Mobile Technology: Mixed Methods Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Annang Ingram ◽  
Crystal Stafford ◽  
Quentin McCollum ◽  
McKenzie Isreal
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Unintended Pregnancy ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Emerging Adult ◽  
Pregnancy Prevention ◽  
The United States ◽  
Unintended Pregnancies

BACKGROUND In the United States, a disproportionate number of unintended pregnancies occur among African Americans, particularly those in their later teenage years and early 20s. Mobile technology is becoming more ubiquitous as a method for health promotion; however, relatively little research has been done with this population to determine their perspectives about unintended pregnancy, the potential of successfully using mobile technology to prevent unintended pregnancy, and the content of such programs. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to obtain the perspectives of African American emerging adults about unintended pregnancy and the use of mobile technology to reduce unintended pregnancy rates. METHODS Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 83 African Americans, aged 18-21 years. Data were analyzed using an open coding process. Emergent codes were then added as needed, and themes and subthemes were identified. RESULTS Participants cited the social environment and lack of education as primary reasons for disproportionate rates of unintended pregnancy. They noted that unintended pregnancy is an important issue and that they desire more sexual health information. They enthusiastically supported mobile technology as a means to communicate unintended pregnancy prevention programming and offered many suggestions for program content, look, and feel. CONCLUSIONS Young and emerging adult African Americans want and need sexual health resources, and a mobile-based platform could be widely accepted and address needs to lower disproportionate rates of unintended pregnancy. An essential next step is to use these findings to inform the development of a mobile-based unintended pregnancy prevention and sexual health program prototype to determine feasibility.

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