Developing and piloting an internet based STI and HIV prevention intervention among young Chilean women

Young Chilean women between 18 to 24 years old are at high risk of contracting STI and HIV and prevention interventions should address their unique barriers to safe sex including culture-related factors. The literature shows a shortage of STI and HIV prevention interventions focused on this specific high risk population. Recent literature suggests that internet based interventions are promising for delivering STI and HIV prevention interventions and avoiding common barriers to services. The purpose of this study was to develop and pilot-test an internet based STI and HIV prevention intervention (I-STIPI) for Chilean women between 18 and 24 years old. The design of the I-STIPI study was divided into two stages: (a) development, and (b) pilot testing of the intervention. The development stage for the I-STIPI included consultation with 3 panels of experts for the development of its content, its technical features and the creation of its website, hosting service and domain. The pilot testing stage was a prospective cohort study (pre-post test). Forty young Chilean women participated in an investigation of I-STIPI's feasibility, acceptability and its preliminary impact on STI and HIV prevention related outcomes between baseline and one-month post baseline assessment. Paired-samples t tests analysis was used in order to determine whether there were significant differences in each of the outcome variables. The results of the study showed that the I-STIPI was feasible and acceptable for young women. The I-STIPI resulted in a significant increase in young women's levels of STI and HIV related: knowledge, attitudes toward the use of condoms, perceived self efficacy, and preventive behaviors related with the reduction of the number of sexual partners and risky sexual behaviors with uncommitted partners. The I-STIPI showed promise as an internet-based intervention that might benefit young women through the reduction of barriers to accessing preventive interventions and increasing the impact of STI and HIV prevention programs.