Long, L, Abraham, C, Paquette, R, Shahmanesh, M, Llewellyn, C, Townsend, C and Gilson, R (2016) Brief interventions to prevent sexually transmitted infections suitable for in-service use: a systematic review. Preventive Medicine, 91. pp. 364-382. ISSN 0091-7435

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Abstract

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are more common in young people and men who have sex with men (MSM) and effective in-service interventions are needed.
Methods: A systematic review of randomized control trials (RCTs) of waiting-room delivered,self-delivered and brief healthcare-provider-delivered interventions designed to
reduce STIs, increase use of home-based STI testing, or reduce STI-risk behaviour was conducted. Six databases were searched between January 2000 to October 2014.
Results: 17,916 articles were screened. 23 RCTs of interventions for young people met our inclusion criteria. Significant STI reductions were found in four RCTs of interventions using brief one-to-one counselling (2 RCTs), video (1 RCT) and a STI home-testing kit (1 RCT).
Increase in STI test uptake was found in five studies using video (1 RCT), one-to-one counselling (1 RCT), home test kit (2 RCTs) and a web-based intervention (1 RCT).
Reduction in STI-risk behaviour was found in seven RCTs of interventions using digital online (web-based) and offline (computer software) (3 RCTs), printed materials (1 RCT) and video (3 RCTs). Ten RCTs of interventions for MSM met our inclusion criteria. Three tested for STI reductions but none found significant differences between intervention and control groups. Increased STI test uptake was found in two studies using brief one-to-one counselling (1 RCT) and an online web-based intervention (1 RCT. Reduction in STI-risk behaviour was found in six studies using digital online (web-based) interventions (4 RCTs) and brief one-to one
counselling (2 RCTs.
Conclusion: A small number of interventions which could be used, or adapted for use, in sexual health clinics were found to be effective in reducing STIs among young people and in promoting self-reported STI-risk behaviour change in MSM.

Item Type:	Article
Schools and Departments:	Brighton and Sussex Medical School > Primary Care and Public Health
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine > RA0440 Study and teaching. Research
Depositing User:	Phoenix Marshall
Date Deposited:	16 Sep 2016 11:13
Last Modified:	05 Jul 2017 08:27
URI:	http://srodev.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/63202

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