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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03895320

Protecting Our Future Generation: Promotion of Protective Sexual Health Practices Among Native American Youth and Young Adults Through an Assets-based Self-care Intervention

The aim of this research protocol is to test the efficacy of a self-care intervention through a randomized controlled trial (RCT), for increasing protective sexual health behaviors among youth in the participating Native American community. The investigators will randomize 450 youth and young adults ages 14-26 to the self-care intervention or a control program. Efficacy data will be collected up to 6 months post-intervention. The primary outcome will be uptake of sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening. Secondary outcomes will include: a) sexual risk and protective behaviors; and b) psychosocial assets and resources. The investigators hypothesize the self-care intervention will increase protective behaviors by: i) helping youth gain knowledge of their own sexual health risks, assets and resources; ii) motivating protection of those assets and resources; and iii) encouraging good health practices and making responsible choices.

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Key information

Conditions

Sexual Behavior Adolescent Behavior Bacterial Infections Bacterial Infections and Mycoses Behavior Chlamydia Chlamydia Infections Chlamydiaceae Infections Communicable Diseases Disease Attributes Genital Diseases Gonorrhea Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections Infections Neisseriaceae Infections Parasitic Diseases Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Protozoan Infections Self Evaluation Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial Trichomonas Trichomonas Infections Unprotected Sex Unsafe Sex Urogenital Diseases

Age range

14 year–26 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health

Whiteriver, Arizona, 85941, United States

About this study

The proposed study is a RCT to test the efficacy of a self-care intervention for sexual health promotion among youth and young adults in a participating Native American community. The goal of the intervention is to increase protective sexual health practices. The investigators will compare outcomes between two groups: the 1) experimental group and the 2) comparison group. Youth will be enrolled in the study and assessed at baseline, 3-months and 6-months post-intervention. Participants ages 14-26 will be enrolled through a non-probability sampling frame at: a) the local Indian Health Service (IHS) facility, including the Emergency Department waiting room; b) local schools; c) during health fairs and other community-based events; and d) other community gathering spots. Eligible individuals will be of Native American ethnicity, 14-26 years of age, and have primary residence and/or employment within the participating tribe's reservation. Research staff will screen potential participants for inclusion/exclusion criteria, explain study goals and procedures, and administer informed consent. After obtaining participant consent, participants will complete a baseline assessment and then be randomized to receive the self-care intervention or a control program. Follow-up assessments will be administered at 3-months and 6-months post-intervention for all study participants. Each assessment is expected to take 20-30 minutes to complete. The baseline assessment will take place at the location of recruitment and consent; follow-up assessments will take place at home or in a private location. All assessments will be self-administered on tablets using REDCap mobile technology.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 14-26
  • Native American ethnicity
  • Membership in the participating Native American community. (Study participation is open to all Native American individuals who live on the participating Tribe's Reservation, on/near the border, and/or are employed on the participating Tribe's Reservation).
  • Have had sex at least once in their lifetime (vaginal)
  • Participant must have their own cell phone and agree to receiving generic text messages and phone calls from study staff
  • All participants must sign informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Unwilling to be randomized
  • Inability to participate in full intervention or evaluation (e.g., planned move, residential treatment, etc.)

Treatment and study plan

Sexual Health Risk Assessment

Behavioral

The self-assessment ('Sexual Health Risk Assessment'), will pertain to sexual and reproductive health. The self-assessment, will include a valid clinical prediction tool, established to predict STI positivity.

Sexual Health Score

Behavioral

The results of the 'Sexual Health Risk Assessment' will produce a score ('Sexual Health Score'). The 'Sexual Health Score' will be presented as a number (0/10) and will be organized by category: Low, Medium or High Risk.

Sexual Health Messaging

Behavioral

After the score ('Sexual Health Score') the participant will receive personalized messaging ('Sexual Health Messaging') that relates to their score and risk level (i.e. Low, Medium or High). Short messages that indicate key steps the person can take to lower their risk for STIs will be displayed on the screen that correspond to their 'Sexual Health Score.'

Water SSB Quiz

Behavioral

The self-assessment ('Water SSB Quiz') will pertain to consumption of water, soda and sugar sweetened beverages. There will not be a comparable clinical prediction tool in the control self-assessment ('Water SSB Quiz).

Water SSB Score

Behavioral

The results of the 'Water SSB Quiz' will produce a score ('Water SSB Score'). The 'Water SSB Score' will be presented as a number (0/10).

Water SSB Messaging

Behavioral

After the score ('Water SSB Score') the participant will receive personalized messaging ('Water SSB Messaging') that relates to their score. Short messages that indicate key steps the person can take to meet the recommended daily intake for water and sugar sweetened beverages will be displayed on the screen that correspond to their 'Water SSB Score.'

STI Screening

Behavioral

All participants regardless of group, will be offered a STI screening kit immediately after receipt of their respective program (intervention or control). Participants will have the option of completing the kit at the first study visit, taking it with them after the first study visit is over, or receiving it later from one of our staff either at our local project office or the kit can be dropped off at a location the participant chooses. Completed kits can be returned to our office or picked up by a study staff. (NOTE: while the STI screening kit will be available to all participants should they request it at subsequent study visits, e.g. the 3- and 6-month follow-ups, the STI screening kit will only be explicitly offered by the study team at the first study visit immediately after participants complete their respective quiz).

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in self-reported STI screening at 3-months and 6-months

    Time frame: 3-months and 6-months

    Difference in completion of self-administered screening kit for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomonas between intervention and control groups at 3-months and 6-months. Participants report if they completed a self-administered test at each time point.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Sex without condom

    Time frame: 3-months and 6-months

    Change in sex without a condom, between intervention and control groups at 3-months and 6-months, as measured by a self-report questionnaire. A dichotomous scale will be used (0, No; 1, Yes). A higher value indicates a worse outcome.

  2. Sex without birth control

    Time frame: 3-months and 6-months

    Change in sex without birth control, between intervention and control groups at 3-months and 6-months, as measured by a self-report questionnaire. A dichotomous scale will be used (0, No; 1, Yes). A higher value indicates a worse outcome.

  3. Multiple partners

    Time frame: 3-months and 6-months

    Change in number of sexual partners, between intervention and control groups at 3-months and 6-months, as measured by a self-report questionnaire. A dichotomous scale will be used (0, No; 1, Yes). A higher value indicates a worse outcome.

  4. New partners

    Time frame: 3-months and 6-months

    Change in number of new sexual partners, between intervention and control groups at 3-months and 6-months, as measured by a self-report questionnaire. A dichotomous scale will be used (0, No; 1, Yes). A higher value indicates a worse outcome.

  5. Concurrent partners

    Time frame: 3-months and 6-months

    Change in number of new sexual partners, between intervention and control groups at 3-months and 6-months, as measured by a self-report questionnaire. A dichotomous scale will be used (0, No; 1, Yes). A higher value indicates a worse outcome.

  6. Current symptoms of STI

    Time frame: 3-months and 6-months

    Change in current symptoms of STI, between intervention and control groups at 3-months and 6-months, as measured by a self-report questionnaire. A dichotomous scale will be used (0, No; 1, Yes). A higher value indicates a worse outcome.

  7. Alcohol and drug use

    Time frame: 3-months and 6-months

    Change in frequency of alcohol and drug use, between intervention and control groups at 3-months and 6-months, as measured by a self-report questionnaire. A dichotomous scale will be used (0, No; 1, Yes). A higher value indicates a worse outcome.

  8. Alcohol and drug use before sex

    Time frame: 3-months and 6-months

    Change in frequency of alcohol and drug use before sex, between intervention and control groups at 3-months and 6-months, as measured by a self-report questionnaire. A dichotomous scale will be used (0, No; 1, Yes). A higher value indicates a worse outcome.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Other

Collaborators

  • Native American Research Center for Health

Registry information

Official study title

Protecting Our Future: Promotion of Protective Sexual Health Practices Among Native American Youth and Young Adults Through an Assets-based Self-care Intervention

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Mar 29, 2019
Registry last updated
Feb 23, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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