Web-based game educates HIV positive teens on prevention

July 11, 3:18 PMColorado HIV and AIDS ExaminerDanielle Jones

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Image courtesy of University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

According to the World Health Organization, adolescents and young adults ages 13 to 24 accounts for 40 percent of all new HIV infections worldwide and nearly 50 percent in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Because many HIV positive youth engage in risky sexual behaviors, such as inconsistent use of condoms and multiple sexual partners, public health officials site that prevention of secondary transmission of HIV is a major concern in this demographic.

This generation of young adults is significantly more technologically advanced and savvy than previous generations so it comes as no surprise that researchers have found computer based intervention applications to be a highly effective prevention method.

Researchers with the University of Texas have developed and investigated the effectiveness of a web-based game called “+Click” (Positive Click). The game environment simulates a virtual shopping mall in which users choose from a variety of activities including animations, interactive games and video lessons from other HIV positive young people and experts. The lessons were developed to address four behaviors: abstinence, disclosure of HIV status to potential sexual partners, consistent and correct condom usage and using an effective method of birth control.

Study participants were able to access the game during routine clinic visits and reported that they found the game easy to use, credible and motivating indicating that it would help them to reduce high risk behaviors and they would use it again.

While the results show promise, researchers stress that it is yet to be determined if this program will indeed be effective in changing the attitudes and behaviors needed to increase safer sex practices and abstinence this demographic.
 

For more info: The University of Texas Health Sciences Center