Effectiveness Of Digital Media Technologybased Interventions On HIV & STI Risk Reduction Among Young People: A Metaanalysis

• Main Authors: Tarnate, Paul Sherwin O, Serrano, Keith Roger R, Torres-Ticzon, Vanessa-Maria F, Senen, Kathlynne Anne A
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2019
• Subjects: Digital media; HIV; STI; Adolescents; Diseases; Medicine and Health Sciences; Public Health
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/asmph-pubs/3; https://archium.ateneo.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=asmph-pubs
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

Background: Prevention strategies delivered through digital media technology (DMT) have been developed to reduce HIV incidence among young people. However, no best-practice DMT intervention strategies exist in handling HIV prevention programs among young people. Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of DMT-based interventions in reducing risk-taking behaviours among young people that may predispose them to acquiring HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Subjects and Selection Criteria: Randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies with rigorous controls comparing DMT-based interventions and controls on reducing risk-taking behaviors among young people aged 10-24 years were included. Data Collection: Search methods were done on the following: MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Trials Register, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, TRIP database, HERDIN, reference lists, & local databases until December 2017. Analysis: Statistical analysis was done using Review Manager Version 5.3, heterogeneity examined, and analyses done under random effects model. Condom use, sexual behavior, number of sexual partners, STI testing, and sexual health knowledge in standardized effect sizes were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. Data were analyzed in subgroups: Didactics, Modules, Virtual decision-making. Main Results: Identified sixteen studies with 7925 subjects comparing DMT interventions and controls. DMT interventions significantly increased condom use (d=0.29, 95% CI 0.18-0.41; p