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. 2015 Jul 3;4(3):e82.
doi: 10.2196/resprot.4316.

Defining the Content of an Online Sexual Health Intervention: The MenSS Website

Rosie Webster  1 , Makeda Gerressu, Susan Michie, Claudia Estcourt, Jane Anderson, Chee Siang Ang, Elizabeth Murray, Greta Rait, Judith Stephenson, Julia V Bailey; MenSS Trial Group
Affiliations

Defining the Content of an Online Sexual Health Intervention: The MenSS Website

Rosie Webster et al. JMIR Res Protoc. .

Abstract

Background: Health promotion and risk reduction are essential components of sexual health care. However, it can be difficult to prioritize these within busy clinical services. Digital interventions may provide a new method for supporting these.

Objective: The MenSS (Men's Safer Sex) website is an interactive digital intervention developed by a multidisciplinary team, which aims to improve condom use in men who have sex with women (MSW). This paper describes the content of this intervention, and the rationale for it.

Methods: Content was informed by a literature review regarding men's barriers to condom use, workshops with experts in sexual health and technology (N=16) and interviews with men in sexual health clinics (N=20). Data from these sources were analyzed thematically, and synthesized using the Behavior Change Wheel framework.

Results: The MenSS intervention is a website optimized for delivery via tablet computer within a clinic waiting room setting. Key targets identified were condom use skills, beliefs about pleasure and knowledge about risk. Content was developed using behavior change techniques, and interactive website features provided feedback tailored for individual users.

Conclusions: This paper provides a detailed description of an evidence-based interactive digital intervention for sexual health, including how behavior change techniques were translated into practice within the design of the MenSS website. Triangulation between a targeted literature review, expert workshops, and interviews with men ensured that a range of potential influences on condom use were captured.

Keywords: behavior change; condom use; eHealth; heterosexual men; sex education; sexual health; web-based intervention.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of data collection processes.
Figure 2
Figure 2
MenSS homepage with carousel of personalised tailored content.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Condoms: The Basics – skills in correct condom application.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Condoms: Tailored for you – tailored feedback on selected barriers to condom use.
Figure 5
Figure 5
STIs: Are you at risk? – infographics illustrating potential risks of STI.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Reminders and plans feature.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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