Abstract
Background Inconsistent use of the contraceptive pill and condoms contributes significantly to poor sexual health outcomes for young people. There is evidence that action planning interventions may improve pill and condom use, but this approach is not systematically used in sexual healthcare. This study is the first to assess acceptability and feasibility of evaluating a digital intervention to support action plan formation for three sexual health behaviours with clinic attendees. It also considered the role of trait self-control and whether the intervention supported production of quality plans. Methods 88 integrated sexual health clinic attendees aged 14-24 years (m=20.27 years) were recruited to a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT). Of these, 67 also completed three-month follow-up. Measures included self-reported contraceptive or condom ‘mishaps’, theory of planned behaviour variables and a measure of self-control. Results Descriptive analyses supported study acceptability and feasibility. The intervention supported pill and condom users to produce quality plans, though potential improvements were identified. Bivariate correlations suggested high levels of trait self-control may negatively influence plan quality. Data suggest the intervention may reduce pill or condom ‘mishaps’. Conclusions A future full RCT is likely feasible and brief digital action planning interventions may usefully be incorporated within sexual healthcare.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 391-413 |
| Number of pages | 23 |
| Journal | Applied Psychology: Health and Wellbeing |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Early online date | 9 Sep 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Nov 2018 |
Bibliographical note
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Brown, K, Beaseley, K & Satyajit, D 2018, 'Self-control, plan quality and digital delivery of action planning for condom and contraceptive pill use of 14-24 year olds: Findings from a clinic-based online pilot randomised controlled trial' Applied Psychology: Health and Wellbeing, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 391-413.which has been published in final form at https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12138. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.Copyright © and Moral Rights are retained by the author(s) and/ or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This item cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.
