A Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase HIV Preventive Information, Motivation, and Behavioral Skills in Ugandan Adolescents

Ann Behav Med. 2015 Jun;49(3):473-85. doi: 10.1007/s12160-014-9673-0.

Abstract

Background: One in 25 Ugandan adolescents is HIV positive.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the impact of an Internet-based HIV prevention program on Information-Motivation-Behavioral skills (IMB) Model-related constructs.

Methods: Three hundred and sixty-six sexually experienced and inexperienced students 13-18+years old in Mbarara, Uganda, were randomly assigned to the five-lesson CyberSenga program or the treatment-as-usual control group. Half of the intervention participants were further randomized to a booster session. Assessments were collected at 3 and 6 months post-baseline.

Results: Participants' HIV-related information improved over time at a greater rate for the intervention groups compared to the control group. Motivation for condom use changed to a greater degree over time for the intervention group--especially those in the intervention+booster group--compared to the control group. Behavioral skills for condom use, and motivation and behavioral skills for abstinence were statistically similar over time for both groups.

Conclusions: CyberSenga improves HIV preventive information and motivation to use condoms.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00906178.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • Health Education / methods*
  • Humans
  • Internet*
  • Male
  • Motivation*
  • Safe Sex / psychology*
  • Sexual Abstinence / psychology*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Uganda

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00906178