Effect of an iPad-Based Intervention to Improve Sexual Health Knowledge and Intentions for Contraceptive use Among Adolescent Females at School-Based Health Centers
Mesheriakova, V.V.; Tebb, K.P.
Clinical Pediatrics 56(13): 1227-1234
2017
ISSN/ISBN: 1938-2707 PMID: 28950721 DOI: 10.1177/0009922816681135Document Number: 670065
The use of effective contraception can decrease the incidence of unplanned pregnancy among adolescents. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of an iPad-based application (app) on improving adolescent girls' sexual health knowledge and on its ability to influence their intentions to use effective contraception. This was a prospective study of girls aged 12 to 18 years recruited from 3 school-based health centers in California. A total of 120 racially/ethnically diverse participants used the iPad app; 54% were sexually active, with only 26% using effective contraception at baseline. The average score on baseline sexual health knowledge assessment was 58%. After using the app, 68% of the sexually active participants reported intention to use effective contraception in the future, and sexual health knowledge improved significantly to 79% ( P < .001). This iPad-based app is a promising intervention to educate adolescents about sexual health and support them in selecting an effective contraception method.