Facilitating chlamydia testing among young people: A randomised controlled trial in cyberspace

Kang, M; Rochford, A; Skinner, R; Mindel, A; Webb, M; Peat, J; Usherwood, T

Facilitating chlamydia testing among young people: A randomised controlled trial in cyberspace

Kang, M

Rochford, A Skinner, R Mindel, A Webb, M Peat, J Usherwood, T

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2012, 88 (8), pp. 568 - 573
Issue Date:: 2012-12-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Kang, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9438-2518	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Rochford, A	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Skinner, R	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Mindel, A	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Webb, M	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Peat, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Usherwood, T	en_US
dc.date.issued	2012-12-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Sexually Transmitted Infections, 2012, 88 (8), pp. 568 - 573	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1368-4973	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/115198
dc.description.abstract	Objectives: Chlamydia notifications have been rising in Australia for over a decade and are highest in young people. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an internet-based intervention on chlamydia testing among young people 16-25 years. Methods: In this randomised controlled trial, recruitment, data collection, study interventions and follow-up occurred entirely in cyberspace, facilitated by a website. Eligible participants were aged 16-25 years and resided in Australia. The intervention group received personalised emails inviting interaction about chlamydia testing, while the control group received regular impersonal emails. Primary outcome was self-reported chlamydia testing at 6-month follow-up; secondary outcomes were condom use and changes in knowledge and attitudes. Results: 704 young people completed baseline information, 40 were excluded and five withdrew prior to follow-up. The follow-up rate was 47.3% overall. In the intervention group, 40.6% (95% CI 30.7% to 51.1%) reported having had a chlamydia test at follow-up compared with 31.0% (95% CI 24.8% to 37.2%) in the control group (p=0.07). A per-protocol analysis found that those who engaged in email interaction were more likely to report chlamydia test uptake compared with those in the control group (52.5%, 95% CI 39.3 to 65.4% cf 31.0%, 95% CI 24.8% to 37.2%, p=0.002). There were no differences in secondary outcomes between groups. Conclusions: This is the first randomised controlled trial undertaken in cyberspace to promote chlamydia testing. E-technology may be useful in promoting chlamydia testing and healthcare seeking behaviour in young people.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Sexually Transmitted Infections	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1136/sextrans-2011-050124	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Public Health	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Chlamydia	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Lymphogranuloma Venereum	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Behavior Therapy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Internet	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Health Services	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Patient Acceptance of Health Care	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Australia	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Young Adult	en_US
dc.title	Facilitating chlamydia testing among young people: A randomised controlled trial in cyberspace	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	8	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	88	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	1108 Medical Microbiology	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	8	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	88	en_US

Abstract:

Objectives: Chlamydia notifications have been rising in Australia for over a decade and are highest in young people. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an internet-based intervention on chlamydia testing among young people 16-25 years. Methods: In this randomised controlled trial, recruitment, data collection, study interventions and follow-up occurred entirely in cyberspace, facilitated by a website. Eligible participants were aged 16-25 years and resided in Australia. The intervention group received personalised emails inviting interaction about chlamydia testing, while the control group received regular impersonal emails. Primary outcome was self-reported chlamydia testing at 6-month follow-up; secondary outcomes were condom use and changes in knowledge and attitudes. Results: 704 young people completed baseline information, 40 were excluded and five withdrew prior to follow-up. The follow-up rate was 47.3% overall. In the intervention group, 40.6% (95% CI 30.7% to 51.1%) reported having had a chlamydia test at follow-up compared with 31.0% (95% CI 24.8% to 37.2%) in the control group (p=0.07). A per-protocol analysis found that those who engaged in email interaction were more likely to report chlamydia test uptake compared with those in the control group (52.5%, 95% CI 39.3 to 65.4% cf 31.0%, 95% CI 24.8% to 37.2%, p=0.002). There were no differences in secondary outcomes between groups. Conclusions: This is the first randomised controlled trial undertaken in cyberspace to promote chlamydia testing. E-technology may be useful in promoting chlamydia testing and healthcare seeking behaviour in young people.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/115198