title: Justify your love: testing an online STI-risk communication intervention designed to promote condom use and STI-testing.
abstract: The efficacy of a tailored, web-based intervention communicating the risks of sexually transmitted infections (STI) for heterosexual young adults was examined in a randomised, controlled trial. The main aims of the relationship-oriented intervention were to influence risk perceptions and to promote (maintenance of) condom use and STI-testing among young adults who reported being recently engaged in a heterosexual relationship. The intervention addressed risk perceptions, attitudes, normative beliefs, self-efficacy and skills related to condom use and STI-testing. Outcomes were compared immediately after the intervention (N = 171) and 3 months later (N = 115) to a non-tailored intervention group and to a control group. Cognitive and behavioural outcomes showed that the tailored intervention was efficacious in influencing perceived susceptibility to STI and STI-testing intentions immediately after the intervention, and in reducing rates of unprotected sex at 3 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. fraukje.mevissen@maastrichtuniversity.nl
authors.forename: Fraukje E F
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Mevissen
authors.forename: Robert A C
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ruiter
authors.forename: Ree M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Meertens
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zimbile
authors.forename: Herman P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Schaalma
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D009426:Netherlands; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult