title: ProjectHeartforGirls.com: Development of a Web-Based HIV/STD Prevention Program for Adolescent Girls Emphasizing Sexual Communication Skills.
abstract: This article describes the development of ProjectHeartforGirls.com , an interactive web-based program designed to improve sexual communication skills and reduce the risk of HIV/STDs among adolescent girls, a population at heightened risk for negative sexual health outcomes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). Although sexual communication is a critical predictor of safer sex among teens, there are few online interventions that target these skills as a central program component. We developed ProjectHeartforGirls.com to fill this gap. Program development involved (1) identifying the target population (ethnically diverse high school girls), (2) clarifying the theoretical foundation (Reasoned Action Model), (3) conducting formative qualitative research (n = 25 girls), (4) drafting initial program content, (5) receiving ongoing feedback from a teen advisory board (n = 5 girls), (6) programming online content, and (7) conducting usability testing (n = 6 girls). These steps are described along with the final intervention product, which is currently being evaluated in a randomized controlled trial.
authors.affiliation: North Carolina State University.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Widman
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Carol E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Golin
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Seth M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Noar
authors.affiliation: North Carolina State University.
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Massey
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
authors.forename: Mitchell J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Prinstein
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; D000293:Adolescent; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D016730:Program Development; D036301:Qualitative Research; D021841:Safe Sex; D012574:Schools; D012736:Sex Education; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D055815:Young Adult