Computer-based interventions to prevent HIV and other STIs
Computer-based interventions focused on decreasing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) provide participants with information on health issues of interest as well as computer-mediated decision making, behavior change, and emotional support. These interactive programs incorporate contributions from users to produce tailored material and feedback that is personally relevant. Programs may be delivered on personal computers or over the internet.
Expected Beneficial Outcomes (Rated)
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Increased HIV and STI knowledge
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Increased self-efficacy
Other Potential Beneficial Outcomes
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Reduced risky sexual behavior
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Delayed initiation of sex
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Increased condom use
Evidence of Effectiveness
There is strong evidence that computer-based interventions increase knowledge about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), self-efficacy, and safe-sex intentions among adults and adolescents (Guse K, Levine D, Martins S, et al. Interventions using new digital media to improve adolescent sexual health: A systematic review. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2012;51(6):535–43.
Link to original source (journal subscription may be required for access)Guse 2012, Noar SM, Pierce LB, Black HG. Can computer-mediated interventions change theoretical mediators of safer sex? A meta-analysis. Human Communication Research. 2010;36(3):261-97.
Link to original source (journal subscription may be required for access)Noar 2010, Bailey J, Murray E, Rait G, et al. Interactive computer-based interventions for sexual health promotion. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2010;(9):CD006483.
Link to original source (journal subscription may be required for access)Cochrane-Bailey 2010). These inventions have also been shown to increase condom use and decrease the number of sexual partners (Noar 2009).
Among adolescents, computer-based interventions may also delay initiation of sex and increase pregnancy prevention knowledge (Guse K, Levine D, Martins S, et al. Interventions using new digital media to improve adolescent sexual health: A systematic review. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2012;51(6):535–43.
Link to original source (journal subscription may be required for access)Guse 2012), however, additional evidence is needed to confirm these effects.
Interventions that are tailored to individual users tend to be most successful (Noar 2009, Noar SM, Pierce LB, Black HG. Can computer-mediated interventions change theoretical mediators of safer sex? A meta-analysis. Human Communication Research. 2010;36(3):261-97.
Link to original source (journal subscription may be required for access)Noar 2010, Bailey J, Murray E, Rait G, et al. Interactive computer-based interventions for sexual health promotion. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2010;(9):CD006483.
Link to original source (journal subscription may be required for access)Cochrane-Bailey 2010). Provision of individualized feedback, promotion of active learning, anonymity, and repeatability are also frequently components of effective computer-based interventions (Bailey J, Murray E, Rait G, et al. Interactive computer-based interventions for sexual health promotion. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2010;(9):CD006483.
Link to original source (journal subscription may be required for access)Cochrane-Bailey 2010).
Computer-based interventions can be easily disseminated and can be relatively inexpensive (Bailey J, Murray E, Rait G, et al. Interactive computer-based interventions for sexual health promotion. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2010;(9):CD006483.
Link to original source (journal subscription may be required for access)Cochrane-Bailey 2010).
Impact on Disparities
Likely to increase disparities
Implementation Examples
Positive Choices is an example of a successful computer-based intervention that implements tailoring (CDC-Positive Choice).
Citations - Evidence
* Journal subscription may be required for access.
Cochrane-Bailey 2010* - Bailey J, Murray E, Rait G, et al. Interactive computer-based interventions for sexual health promotion. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2010;(9):CD006483.
Noar 2010* - Noar SM, Pierce LB, Black HG. Can computer-mediated interventions change theoretical mediators of safer sex? A meta-analysis. Human Communication Research. 2010;36(3):261-97.
Noar 2009 - Noar SM, Black HG, Pierce LB. Efficacy of computer technology-based HIV prevention interventions: a meta-analysis. AIDS. 2009;23(1):107-15.
Guse 2012* - Guse K, Levine D, Martins S, et al. Interventions using new digital media to improve adolescent sexual health: A systematic review. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2012;51(6):535–43.
Citations - Implementation Examples
* Journal subscription may be required for access.
CDC-Positive Choice - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Positive choice: Interactive video doctor.
Date Last Updated
- Scientifically Supported: Strategies with this rating are most likely to make a difference. These strategies have been tested in many robust studies with consistently positive results.
- Some Evidence: Strategies with this rating are likely to work, but further research is needed to confirm effects. These strategies have been tested more than once and results trend positive overall.
- Expert Opinion: Strategies with this rating are recommended by credible, impartial experts but have limited research documenting effects; further research, often with stronger designs, is needed to confirm effects.
- Insufficient Evidence: Strategies with this rating have limited research documenting effects. These strategies need further research, often with stronger designs, to confirm effects.
- Mixed Evidence: Strategies with this rating have been tested more than once and results are inconsistent or trend negative; further research is needed to confirm effects.
- Evidence of Ineffectiveness: Strategies with this rating are not good investments. These strategies have been tested in many robust studies with consistently negative and sometimes harmful results.