Advancing Access to Care through Digital Health: Perspectives from Youth on a Novel Platform to Increase Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Care and Education for Adolescents and Young Adults.

Publication/Presentation Date

10-1-2023

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Youth account for half of new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States annually. Barriers to STI prevention include a lack of accurate sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education and low STI testing. We sought to obtain youth feedback on a digital health platform prototype designed to address these barriers.

METHODS: The platform prototype included SRH content, free STI testing and treatment, and anonymous question submission. Five focus group discussions, each lasting 45-60 minutes with 5-6 youth living in a high-prevalence STI region (Baltimore, Maryland), were conducted. Thematic analysis was conducted.

RESULTS: There were 28 participants with a mean age of 15.9 years (range 14-19), among whom 89% self-identified as female, 57% Black/African American, 29% Asian American, 14% White, and 7% Hispanic/Latino. Youth felt that the prototype platform was comprehensive and understandable. They suggested adding peer reviews to increase trustworthiness.

CONCLUSION: Youth reported that the platform (violetproject.org) was an acceptable tool for SRH education and STI testing. Participants expressed enthusiasm and willingness to use the platform as a reliable SRH educational tool to combat medical misinformation on the Internet and a non-clinic-based source of STI testing. This platform could fill gaps in access to SRH care and education for youth.

Volume

36

Issue

5

First Page

449

Last Page

454

ISSN

1873-4332

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

37084876

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

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