A Case Study Evaluating Youth Acceptability of Using the Connect – a Sexuality Education Game-Based Learning Program

Abstract

Game-based learning offers an interactive and effective way to teach health content and skills. This article discusses feasibility testing of Using the Connect (UTC), an innovative, game-based sexuality education program to evaluate its acceptability among youth. Utilizing mixed methods in a single case study design, qualitative and quantitative data was collected from youth (surveys, facilitated discussions, and observations). Qualitative data triangulated quantitative findings that youth liked the program design, felt the games and content were relatable, and learned knowledge and skills around adolescent development, accessing information, communication, and making healthy decisions through playing the games. Overall, UTC was highly acceptable to the youth; they had fun and learned information and skills. Not only would most participants recommend the program to friends, all reported they would participate in the program again and use the information they learned in the future.

Keywords:

• Adolescent health
• sexuality education
• case study
• feasibility study

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by: (1) a dissertation research fellowship at Texas A&M University from the College of Education and Human Development: 2019 − 2020 Strategic Research Award; (2) the Dean’s Graduate Award Scholarship from the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University; and (3) two research scholarships from Foundation for the Advancement of Health Education: the Delbert Oberteuffer and Mary K. Beyrer Scholarships. This work was also made possible in part by the Office of Population Affairs under Grant Number TP2AH000046. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department of Health and Human Services or the Office of Population Affairs.