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Self‐Control, Plan Quality, and Digital Delivery of Action Planning for Condom and Contraceptive Pill Use of 14–24‐Year‐Olds: Findings from a Clinic‐Based Online Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
Brown Katherine E.,
Beasley Kerrie,
Das Satyajit
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
applied psychology: health and well‐being
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.276
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1758-0854
pISSN - 1758-0846
DOI - 10.1111/aphw.12138
Subject(s) - condom , medicine , pill , psychological intervention , family planning , randomized controlled trial , reproductive health , family medicine , intervention (counseling) , population , nursing , environmental health , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , surgery , syphilis , research methodology
Background Inconsistent use of the contraceptive pill and condoms contributes significantly to poor sexual health outcomes for young people. There is evidence that action planning interventions may improve pill and condom use, but this approach is not systematically used in sexual healthcare. This study is the first to assess acceptability and feasibility of evaluating a digital intervention to support action plan formation for three sexual health behaviours with clinic attendees. It also considered the role of trait self‐control and whether the intervention supported production of quality plans. Methods Eighty‐eight integrated sexual health clinic attendees aged 14–24 years ( M = 20.27 years) were recruited to a pilot randomised controlled trial ( RCT ). Of these, 67 also completed three‐month follow‐up. Measures included self‐reported contraceptive or condom “mishaps”, theory of planned behaviour variables, and a measure of self‐control. Results Descriptive analyses supported study acceptability and feasibility. The intervention supported pill and condom users to produce quality plans, though potential improvements were identified. Bivariate correlations suggested that high levels of trait self‐control may negatively influence plan quality. Data suggest that the intervention may reduce pill or condom “mishaps”. Conclusions A future full RCT is likely feasible and brief digital action planning interventions may usefully be incorporated within sexual healthcare.