Adolescents' perspectives on the use of a text messaging service for preventive sexual health promotion.
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Date
2012-08-27
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Abstract
PURPOSE To understand adolescents perspectives on the use of a preventive sexual health text messaging service METHODS Twenty six adolescents aged 15 20 years old were recruited from two teen clinics in Los Angeles County to participate in focus groups Three focus groups were held Discussions focused on the content of the weekly text messages sent by a service called the Hookup as well as the acceptability of using text messaging to relay sexual health education to adolescents Codes and themes were developed from transcripts using standard constant comparison methods RESULTS Participants enjoyed receiving weekly text messages related to sexual health They linked their enjoyment to the message content being informative providing relevant and new information simple automatically limited to small words and short phrases and sociable easily able to be shared with friends Participants also pointed to the convenience and ubiquity of text messaging and generally felt that cost of messages was not a concern Most felt that text messaging provided a sense of privacy for learning about sensitive health topics although a few expressed concerns about stigma from peers seeing the messages CONCLUSIONS Teens may face several barriers to accessing reliable useful and age appropriate information and services for their health The use of text messaging is an innovative way to engage teens in preventive health learning and practices Text messaging may allow efficient delivery of health messages and may offer a discreet way for teens to learn important health information especially for sensitive topics like sexual health
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Keywords
Young people (10-24 years), Client, Access to information or data, Effectiveness, Family planning and reproductive health, Safe sex, Contraception, STIs, excluding HIV, HIV/AIDS, Social and behavior change communication, Health education or promotion, SMS, Text