Using video games to improve the sexual health of young people aged 15-25 years: A rapid review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio Franco Vega ◽  
Anastasia Eleftheriou ◽  
Cynthia Graham
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Outcome Studies ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Sexually Transmitted

BACKGROUND Sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies among young people remain a public health concern in many countries. To date, interventions to address these concerns have had limited success. The use of serious games as educational tools is increasingly used in health and public professional education. Although acknowledged as having great potential, fewer studies have evaluated the use of serious games in sexual health education among young people and to date, there have been no published reviews of these studies. OBJECTIVE The aim was to assess the effects of video game-based sexual health interventions for risky sexual behavior in young people aged 15-25 years. METHODS A rapid review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCT trials. The search included these bibliographic databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; Embase; Medline; PsycINFO; Scopus. Two reviewers independently screened 50 percent of the articles retrieved at the full-text screening phase. RESULTS From a total of 459 citations identified, after removing duplicates, 327 articles were deemed eligible for title/abstract screening. Seventy full-texts were screened, leaving 10 articles (evaluating 11 different games) included in the review. The findings highlighted the considerable diversity in video game-based interventions and in the sexual health outcomes assessed. While there were some promising findings in outcome studies using game-based interventions, results across studies were mixed. CONCLUSIONS Although game interventions for sexual health have been in existence for almost three decades, there have been relatively few studies evaluating them and the results of previous outcome studies have been mixed. Moreover, there is little clarity about which specific elements of a game facilitate positive outcomes. We provide some recommendations for future researchers developing video game-based interventions to improve sexual health in young people.Sex education, serious games, sexually transmitted infections, rapid review

scholarly journals Exploring enablers of sexually transmitted infections among illegal gold miners in the midlands region of Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1321
Author(s):  
Nyanshanu Mattew ◽  
Chireshe Rumbidzai ◽  
Jidong Dung ◽  
Nyashanu Wendy ◽  
Ekpenyong Mandu Stephen
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Prolonged Stay ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Gold Miners ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa faces by far the highest rate of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Illegal mineworkers are considered at risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Men are generally not receptive to health promotion messages.Methods: This study explored the enablers of sexually transmitted infections. The study utilized a qualitative approach. A total of 40 participants were recruited. Semi structured interviews were used to collect data. A thematic approach was used to analyze the data. Zimbabwe, like any other country in the sub-Saharan region of Africa, has been affected by the epidemic of HIV/AIDS and other STIs, because of poor sexual health education.Results: The study found that the enablers of STIs included poor sexual health knowledge, substance misuse, prolonged stay from family, stigma, lack of entertainment, cultural status, and poor sexual health services.Conclusions: STIs among illegal gold miners is a public health concern that needs urgent attention in many developing countries.

Serious games in preventing sexually transmitted infections among adolescents: Systematic review about the current state of evidence (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Ilskens ◽  
Kamil J. Wrona ◽  
Christoph Dockweiler ◽  
Florian Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Future Orientation ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Current State ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Attitudes And Behavior

BACKGROUND Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a global health risk. Adolescents, among other vulnerable groups, are at increased risk of infection due to an identified lack of knowledge and risky sexual behavior. Given the fact that adolescents often use digital media and that serious games are considered to have the potential to change knowledge, attitudes and behavior, serious games represent an opportunity for the prevention of (STIs). OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review was to describe the current state of evidence related to 1) the effectiveness/impact of serious games and 2) perceptions/game experiences of serious games users targeting sexual health and STI prevention. METHODS A systematic review has been conducted in PubMed and Web of Science. Studies published from 2009 to 2021 have been included that surveyed the effectiveness of serious games on adolescent sexual health. A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria and where categorized according to dimensions of effectiveness and gaming experience. RESULTS Various dimensions of effectiveness and aspects of gaming experience were investigated within the primary studies. In total, nine dimensions of effectiveness have been observed: Sexual behavior, behavioral intentions, knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, self-efficacy and personal limitations, personality traits and future orientation, environmental and individual risk factors, risk perception and risk assessment, as well as normative beliefs and (social) norms. Furthermore, several dimensions related to gaming experience have been investigated in previous studies, which are motivation, acceptance, trustworthiness, comprehensibility, handling and control, perceived effectiveness, as well as satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS Knowledge has already been comprehensively surveyed and a positive influence of serious games on knowledge about sexual topics is evident. The results clearly show that adolescents’ sexual knowledge was increased by the serious games interventions. However, methodological and content differences in the surveys as well as external conditions make it difficult to draw conclusions about effectiveness related to changes in attitudes and behavior.

Standards for comprehensive sexual health services for young people under 25 years

2002 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 420-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
K E Rogstad ◽  
I H Ahmed-Jushuf ◽  
A J Robinson
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Sexual Health Service ◽  
Contraceptive Services ◽  
Level 2

This document is a first response to the need to develop sexual health services for young people on a single site whilst awaiting research from pilot studies of 'one stop shops' suggested in the Sexual Health and HIV strategy. It is a document which is intended to be a tool to use for those wishing to set up a service providing testing for sexually transmitted infections and provision of contraceptive services for those under 25 years. It is not intended that such a service would replace existing specialist or general practice care but complement it, allowing clients to choose the service most appropriate and acceptable to them, with close links and clear pathways of care for referral between services. This paper should be used as a template when initiating and monitoring a clinic but some of the standards may not be achievable without significant financial input. However, economic limitations should not detract from striving to achieve the best possible care for those most at risk from sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. For example, not all clinics will be able to provide the recommended tests for the diagnosis for gonorrhoea and chlamydia immediately, but should work towards achieving them. Although the upper age limit in this document is defined as 25 years, some providers may wish to limit clinics to those under 20 depending on local needs. Detailed information on specific issues such as consent and confidentiality, provision of contraception, investigation of non-sexually transmitted vaginal infections and sexually transmitted infection management and diagnosis are referenced and we recommend these are accessed by the users of this document. Many of the references themselves are live documents available on the worldwide web, and are constantly updated. The Sexual Health and HIV Strategy has now been published and these standards are aimed at those who wish to provide a level 2 sexual health service for young people wherever the setting e.g. genitourinary outreach clinic, contraceptive services, general practice. This document is a starting point to be reviewed and updated as new research becomes available, as the Sexual Health Strategy is implemented and with further input from providers of care (family planning, general practice, genitourinary medicine, gynaecology and paediatrics) and service users. All service providers must maintain a high quality of care and have networks both with those who provide more specialized services (Level 3) and Level 1 services. This document is an initial attempt to ensure that there is equity of clinical provision wherever a Level 2 sexual health service is provided and should be a useful tool for those setting up or monitoring services.

scholarly journals Does online sexually transmitted infection screening compromise care? A service evaluation comparing the management of chlamydial infection diagnosed online and in clinic

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 528-532
Author(s):  
Nur Gasmelsid ◽  
Benjamin CB Moran ◽  
Tom Nadarzynski ◽  
Rajul Patel ◽  
Elizabeth Foley
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infection ◽  
Chlamydial Infection ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
The United Kingdom

Patient demand on sexual health services in the United Kingdom is so high that many services have introduced online screening to accommodate more patients. There are concerns that these services may not be accessible to all. This service evaluation was undertaken to determine whether online screening is accessible by those patients most at need by comparing the demographics and number of asymptomatic chlamydial infections detected online and in clinic. No difference was found in the age nor level of deprivation, demonstrating that online services are an accessible way to screen for sexually transmitted infections without overburdening established services.

HIV and sexually transmitted infections at the borderlands: situational analysis of sexual health in the Brazilian Amazon

2012 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 294-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adele Benzaken ◽  
Meritxell Sabidó ◽  
Enrique Galban ◽  
Daniel Lúcio Rodrigues Dutra ◽  
André Luiz Leturiondo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Brazilian Amazon ◽  
Situational Analysis ◽  
Sexually Transmitted
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