Long Live Love: Development, implementation and evaluation of a Dutch school-based online sexual health program

Abstract

Background: An online program to support sexual health (e.g. condom use, STI-testing) among school going adolescents in the Netherlands was developed and implemented using the Intervention Mapping protocol. A detailed effect and process evaluation was set up to test for program effectiveness and degree of implementation. Methods: Effectiveness of the program was tested in a cluster RCT with pre and posttest measurements of (antecedents of) condom use and STI testing among 1001 students (47% girls). Semi-structured interviews with teachers (N = 16) and focus groups with students (N = 60) were used to collect data focusing on (factors influencing) completeness and fidelity of program implementation. Findings: Multilevel analysis showed significant change on perceived susceptibility for STI (p = .017). No other significant effects of the program were found (p’s > .14). Interviews with teachers indicated low fidelity and completeness being mostly influenced by time constrains or assuming information was already known by students. Students stated they liked the interactive lessons. Discussion: Results of the RCT will be discussed in relation to level of evaluation and implementation of the program.