Examining the efficacy of an mHealth media literacy education program for sexual health promotion in older adolescents attending community college
Scull, T. M., Kupersmidt, J. B., Malik, C. V., & Keefe, E. M. (2018). Examining the efficacy of an mHealth media literacy education program for sexual health promotion in older adolescents attending community college. Journal of American College Health, 66(3), 165-177. http://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2017.1393822
Abstract
Objective: To determine the feasibility of a mobile health (mHealth), media literacy education program, Media Aware, for improving sexual health outcomes in older adolescent community college students.
Participants: 184 community college students (ages 18-19) participated in the study from April-December 2015.
Methods: Eight community college campuses were randomly assigned to either the intervention or a wait-list control group. Student participants from each campus completed web-based pretest and posttest questionnaires. Intervention group students received Media Aware in between questionnaires.
Results: Several intervention effects of the Media Aware program were significant, including reducing older adolescents’ self-reported risky sexual behaviors; positively affecting knowledge, attitudes, normative beliefs, and intentions related to sexual health; and increasing media skepticism. Some gender differences in the findings were revealed.
Conclusions: The results from this study suggest that Media Aware is a promising means of delivering comprehensive sexual health education to older adolescents attending community college.