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. 2019 May 26;8(6):e12896.
doi: 10.2196/12896.

The Notijoves Project: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial About New Communication Technologies and Gamification to Promote Partner Notification of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Young People

Dolors Carnicer-Pont  1 , Eva Loureiro-Varela  2 , Josep Mª Manresa  3   4 , Montse Martinez  5 , Àngels Avecilla  6 , Laura Montero-Pons  7 , Gemma Falguera-Puig  8
Affiliations

The Notijoves Project: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial About New Communication Technologies and Gamification to Promote Partner Notification of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Young People

Dolors Carnicer-Pont et al. JMIR Res Protoc. .

Abstract

Background: An increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well as an increase in the use of new information and communication technologies among young people in Catalonia is the inspiration behind the idea of designing a smartphone app to promote partner notification of STIs.

Objective: The main objective of this study is to design a Web-based tool adapted to smartphones for partner notification of STIs among youth who are 16 to 24 years old. Additionally, the objective is to evaluate the Web-based tool's role in increasing the patient referral partner notification.

Methods: This is a multicenter randomized controlled trial with a proportional stratification of the sample by center and random allocation of participants to the 3 arms of the study (simple Web-based intervention, game Web-based intervention, and control). This study is being conducted by midwives, gynecologists, and physicians in the sexual and reproductive areas of the primary health care centers.

Results: The primary outcome measure is the number and proportion of partner notifications. Additional outcome measures are the yield of early diagnosis and treatment of those exposed and infected, acceptability, barriers, and preferences for partner notification. Expected results include an increase in the yield of partner notification, early diagnosis and treatment among youth using Web-based interventions compared with those receiving the traditional advice to notify, and a description of sexual networks among those participating in the study.

Conclusions: The Notijoves is expected to have a sustainable positive impact in the partner notification practice among youth and contribute to increasing the awareness of STI prevention.

International registered report identifier (irrid): DERR1-10.2196/12896.

Keywords: game theory; games, experimental; mobile apps; partner notification; randomized controlled trial; sexually transmitted infections; youth.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
App icon “in Spanish”.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Algorithm of participation.STI: sexually transmitted infection.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Entrance to game “in Catalan”.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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