title: Pilot testing an internet-based STI and HIV prevention intervention with Chilean women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is high among young Chilean women, and there are no STI or HIV prevention interventions available to them that incorporate technology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preliminary efficacy of an Internet-based STI and HIV prevention intervention (I-STIPI) for Chilean young women on measures of STI- and HIV-related information, motivation, behavioral skills, and preventive behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a pretest-posttest study. Forty young Chilean women between 18 and 24 years of age participated in an investigation of the I-STIPI's preliminary efficacy on STI and HIV prevention-related outcomes between baseline and a postintervention assessment. The intervention consisted of four online modules. Data collection was conducted in Santiago, Chile. Paired-samples t test analysis was used to determine whether there were significant differences in each of the outcome variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After receiving I-STIPI, women reported a significant increase in levels of STI- and HIV-related knowledge, attitudes toward the use of condoms and perceived self-efficacy, and a reduction of risky sexual behaviors with uncommitted partners.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The I-STIPI showed promise as an Internet-based intervention that can reduce barriers to accessing preventive interventions and increase STI and HIV preventive behaviors in young Chilean women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study provided important information about the ability of an Internet-based intervention to reduce young women's risk factors and to provide positive preliminary efficacy on STI- and HIV-related outcomes. Internet-based interventions can eliminate many barriers to receiving prevention interventions and may prove to be cost effective.
authors.affiliation: Beta Tau, Assistant Professor of Clinical, School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Villegas
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Santisteban
authors.forename: Rosina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cianelli
authors.forename: Lilian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ambrosia
authors.forename: Nilda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Peragallo
authors.forename: Loreto
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lara
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002677:Chile; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D020407:Internet; D009042:Motivation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012309:Risk-Taking; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV prevention; HIV/AIDS; distance learning; infectious diseases; sexual behaviors