Health literacy needs and preferences for a technology-based intervention to improve college students’ sexual and reproductive health

Abstract

Objective: To explore health literacy needs and preferences for a technology-based intervention (app) to improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) among college students. Participants: In Spring 2019, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 participants (10 male, 10 female) from a large, public university. Methods: Interview guide was developed based on Integrated Model of Health Literacy domains and Diffusion of Innovation constructs. Data were analyzed in MaxQDA using applied thematic analysis. Results: Dominant themes included accessing health information and services, evaluating options to make decisions, intervention utility and characteristics, and the emergent theme of credibility. Specific topics included accessing STI testing, contraceptive decision making, information on human papillomavirus (HPV) and the HPV vaccine, patient-provider communication, app design and function elements, and modifying the app to meet the SRH needs of diverse college students. Conclusions: Findings identified areas where an app could address college students’ SRH literacy, ultimately improving SRH outcomes among this population.

Keywords:

• Health literacy
• qualitative data
• sexual and reproductive health
• technology

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United State of America and received approval from the University of South Florida’s Institutional Review Board.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a University of South Florida College of Public Health Faculty Research Award.