itMatters: Optimization of an online intervention to prevent sexually transmitted infections in college students

Abstract

Objective

To describe an iterative approach to developing an online intervention targeting the intersection of alcohol use and sexual behaviors among first year college students. Methods and Participants: Using the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST), we conducted two iterative optimization trials to: (1) identify candidate intervention components (i.e., descriptive norms, injunctive norms, outcome expectancies, perceived benefits of protective behavioral strategies, and self-efficacy to use strategies); (2) revise components; and (3) identify the optimized intervention. Participants were first year college students at six geographically diverse universities (optimization trial 1 N = 5,880; optimization trial 2 N = 3,551) Results: For both optimization trials, the results indicated that only descriptive and injunctive norms produced a significant effect (p<.05). Conclusions: The iterative process of MOST allowed us to develop an optimized intervention which is an essential tool to maximize intervention effectiveness and efficiency to improve uptake, sustainability, and public health impact.

Keywords:

• Intervention development
• multiphase optimization strategy
• alcohol
• college students
• sexual behavior

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States and received approval from the University of North Carolina Greensboro Institutional Review Board.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by several National Institutes of Health institutes and centers, including NIAAA, NIDA, and NCATS [R01 AA022931; P50 DA039838; UL1 TR000127; and TR002014]. The content of this work is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.