DépistaFest: The evaluation of an inclusive, positive, and playful STBBI screening campaign's effectiveness.

OBJECTIVES: Young adults are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs), and rates of STBBI screening in this population are persistently low. The present study examined the effectiveness of Club Sexu's social marketing campaign, DépistaFest, in increasing STBBI screening, screening intentions, and general STBBI and STBBI screening knowledge among young adults in Quebec, Canada. Grounded in the health belief model, the campaign provided practical and scientifically accurate information on STBBIs and screening using an inclusive, positive, and playful approach. METHODS: A sample of 686 participants (M = 28.0 years old) was recruited through Club Sexu's social media to complete an online survey assessing campaign exposure, recent STBBI screening, screening intentions, and general STBBI and screening knowledge. Logistic regressions and ANCOVAs were performed to examine group differences on outcome variables. RESULTS: Compared to nonexposed participants, those who were exposed to the campaign were 2.11 times more likely to report having been tested in the past 6 months, and 2.07 times more likely to report planning to get tested in the next 6 months. Exposed participants were also more likely to correctly answer general STBBI knowledge questions and reported higher levels of self-perceived STBBI screening knowledge than nonexposed participants. CONCLUSION: The findings support the effectiveness of an STBBI prevention campaign grounded in the health belief model. Future STBBI prevention campaigns aimed at young adults would benefit from destigmatizing STBBIs and normalizing STBBI screening using an inclusive, positive, and playful approach.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIFS: Les jeunes adultes sont disproportionnellement affectés par les infections transmissibles sexuellement et par le sang (ITSS), et les taux de dépistage des ITSS au sein de cette population demeurent faibles. La présente étude a examiné l'efficacité de DépistaFest, une campagne de marketing social créée par Club Sexu, pour augmenter le dépistage des ITSS, les intentions de dépistage et les connaissances générales sur les ITSS et le dépistage chez les jeunes adultes québécois. Fondée sur le modèle des croyances relatives à la santé, cette campagne a fourni des informations pratiques et des informations sur les ITSS et le dépistage basées sur les données probantes en employant une approche inclusive, positive et ludique. MéTHODOLOGIE: Un échantillon de 686 participants (M = 28,0 ans) a été recruté à travers les réseaux sociaux de Club Sexu pour remplir un questionnaire en ligne évaluant l'exposition à la campagne, le dépistage récent des ITSS, les intentions de dépistage et les connaissances générales sur les ITSS et le dépistage. Des régressions logistiques et des ANCOVAs ont été effectués pour examiner les différences entre les groupes à l'égard des variables dépendantes. RéSULTATS: Comparativement aux participant·e·s non exposé·e·s, ceux et celles qui ont été exposé·e·s à la campagne étaient 2,11 fois plus susceptibles d'indiquer avoir eu recours au dépistage au cours des six derniers mois, et 2,07 fois plus susceptibles de déclarer qu'ils et elles prévoyaient de se faire dépister au cours des six prochains mois. Les participant·e·s exposé·e·s étaient également plus susceptibles que les participant·e·s non exposé·e·s de répondre correctement aux questions de connaissances générales sur ITSS et rapportaient des niveaux plus élevés de connaissances auto-perçues en matière de dépistage des ITSS. CONCLUSION: Les résultats soutiennent l'efficacité d'une campagne de prévention des ITSS fondée sur le modèle de croyances en santé. Les futures campagnes de prévention des ITSS ciblant les jeunes adultes gagneraient à déstigmatiser les ITSS et à normaliser le dépistage des ITSS en employant une approche inclusive, positive et ludique.

Sexual behaviors at home and abroad: an online survey of Canadian young adult travelers.

BACKGROUND: For young adults, travel- an accessible and aspirational experience- may be accompanied by high-risk lifestyle behaviors abroad, which in turn, increases the risk of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI). This study aimed to examine sexual and risk behaviors of young Canadian adults both at-home and during international travel. METHODS: Sexually-active Canadians, aged 18-25 years (N = 646) who travelled abroad in 2016, completed an online, cross-sectional survey analyzed by descriptive statistics. Outcome measures included young Canadian adults' lifestyle risk and sexual behaviors at-home and abroad. RESULTS: Sexual behaviors, both penetrative and non-penetrative activities, decreased significantly (p < 0.001; McNemar test) abroad compared to at-home. International travel elicited a statistically significant increase in alcohol consumption compared to at-home (Wilcoxon, z = - 11.341, p < 0.001). Partner type (new trip-acquired partner) abroad was associated with a greater number of travel-acquired sexual partners (Mann-Whitney, U = 4901, p < 0.001), inconsistent condom use during penetrative sex (U = 7215, p = 0.009), and sex under the influence of alcohol (Test of Two Proportions, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although many young Canadian respondents practiced abstinence in their 2016 travel, for sexually-active travelers, new partner-type was related to high risk sexual behaviors. Young Canadians exhibited sexual risk behaviors both at-home and while travelling; suggesting the need for both domestic and pre-travel sexual health interventions.

Key informant perspectives on sexual health services for travelling young adults: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: International travel has become increasingly popular among young adults. Young adults often engage in casual sexual relationships abroad, exhibit sexual risk behaviours and may thus be at risk of contracting sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections. Pre-travel interventions and consultations may mitigate this risk. At present, we know little about sexual health-related pre-travel interventions. The aim of this study was therefore to document key informants' experiences, perceptions and recommendations in the context of sexual health of young adult travellers. METHODS: Key informants were professionals working in Ottawa, Canada travel clinics, travel organizations or sexual health clinics with a young adult clientele. This study used a qualitative approach and consisted of 13 in-person or Skype semi-structured interviews with key informants. Thematic content analysis was informed by a sexual health framework, with themes emerging both inductively and deductively. RESULTS: Sexual health was not common in pre-travel interventions described by key informants. Risk-assessment, and practical or purpose-driven pre-travel interventions were identified, resulting in risk mitigation strategies tailored to the destination region and/or mission/culture of the travel organization. Dissemination (e.g. limited time, lack of training) and uptake (e.g. young adults' embarrassment, provider discomfort, financial constraints) barriers limited in-depth discussions of pre-travel interventions related to sexual health. Key informants acknowledged the importance of early sexual health education, and recommended ongoing, comprehensive sexual education for both youth and young adults. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that more time and resources should be allocated to the topic of sexual health during pre-travel interventions with young adults. Professionals who guide and prepare young adults for travel must develop concomitant skills in sexual health promotion. Early, comprehensive sexual education is recommended to improve overall sexual health in young adults and mitigate risk behaviours during travel.