Available online 19 April 2023

Youth account for half of new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the U.S. annually. Barriers to STI prevention include a lack of accurate sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education and low STI testing. We sought to obtain youth feedback on a digital health platform prototype designed to address these barriers.

The platform prototype included SRH content, free STI testing and treatment, and anonymous question submission. Five focus group discussions, each lasting 45-60 minutes with 5-6 youth living in a high-prevalence STI region (Baltimore, Maryland) were conducted. Thematic analysis was conducted.

There were 28 participants with mean age 15.9 years (range 14-19), among whom 89% self-identified as female, 57% Black/African-American, 29% Asian-American, 14% white, and 7% Hispanic/Latino. Youth felt that the prototype platform was comprehensive and understandable. They suggested adding peer reviews to increase trustworthiness.

Youth reported the platform (BLINDED.org) was an acceptable tool for SRH education and STI testing. Participants expressed enthusiasm and willingness to use the platform as a reliable SRH educational tool to combat medical misinformation on the internet and a non-clinic-based source of STI testing. This platform could fill gaps in access to sexual and reproductive healthcare and education for youth.

internet

website

education

adolescent

sexual health

reproductive health

© 2023 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.