Protecting Our Future Generation: Promotion of Protective Sexual Health Practices Among Native American Youth and Young Adults Through an Assets-based Self-care Intervention

Protecting Our Future: Promotion of Protective Sexual Health Practices Among Native American Youth and Young Adults Through an Assets-based Self-care Intervention

The aim of this research protocol is to test the efficacy of a self-care intervention through a randomized controlled trial (RCT), for increasing protective sexual health behaviors among youth in the participating Native American community. The investigators will randomize 450 youth and young adults ages 14-26 to the self-care intervention or a control program. Efficacy data will be collected up to 6 months post-intervention. The primary outcome will be uptake of sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening. Secondary outcomes will include: a) sexual risk and protective behaviors; and b) psychosocial assets and resources. The investigators hypothesize the self-care intervention will increase protective behaviors by: i) helping youth gain knowledge of their own sexual health risks, assets and resources; ii) motivating protection of those assets and resources; and iii) encouraging good health practices and making responsible choices.

The proposed study is a RCT to test the efficacy of a self-care intervention for sexual health promotion among youth and young adults in a participating Native American community. The goal of the intervention is to increase protective sexual health practices. The investigators will compare outcomes between two groups: the 1) experimental group and the 2) comparison group. Youth will be enrolled in the study and assessed at baseline, 3-months and 6-months post-intervention. Participants ages 14-26 will be enrolled through a non-probability sampling frame at: a) the local Indian Health Service (IHS) facility, including the Emergency Department waiting room; b) local schools; c) during health fairs and other community-based events; and d) other community gathering spots. Eligible individuals will be of Native American ethnicity, 14-26 years of age, and have primary residence and/or employment within the participating tribe's reservation. Research staff will screen potential participants for inclusion/exclusion criteria, explain study goals and procedures, and administer informed consent. After obtaining participant consent, participants will complete a baseline assessment and then be randomized to receive the self-care intervention or a control program. Follow-up assessments will be administered at 3-months and 6-months post-intervention for all study participants. Each assessment is expected to take 20-30 minutes to complete. The baseline assessment will take place at the location of recruitment and consent; follow-up assessments will take place at home or in a private location. All assessments will be self-administered on tablets using REDCap mobile technology.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 14-26
2. Native American ethnicity
3. Membership in the participating Native American community. (Study participation is open to all Native American individuals who live on the participating Tribe's Reservation, on/near the border, and/or are employed on the participating Tribe's Reservation).
4. Have had sex at least once in their lifetime (vaginal)
5. Participant must have their own cell phone and agree to receiving generic text messages and phone calls from study staff
6. All participants must sign informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Unwilling to be randomized
2. Inability to participate in full intervention or evaluation (e.g., planned move, residential treatment, etc.)