Ybarra ML, Bull SS, Prescott TL, Birungi R. Acceptability and feasibility of CyberSenga: an Internet-based HIV-prevention program for adolescents in Mbarara, Uganda. AIDS Care. 2014;26(4):441-447. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2013.841837 Abstract: Capitalizing on emerging data suggesting that HIV-preventive behaviors can be positively affected by Internet-based programs, we developed and tested CyberSenga, an Internet-based, comprehensive sexuality education program for adolescents in Mbarara, Uganda. Three hundred and sixty-six secondary school students were randomly assigned to either the five-lesson program (+ booster) or a treatment-as-usual control. At three-month follow-up, intervention participants provided feedback on the program acceptability. Six focus groups with intervention … [Read more...]
Perpetration of teen dating violence in a networked society
Korchmaros JD, Ybarra ML, Langhinrichsen-Rohling J, boyd d, Lenhart. Perpetration of teen dating violence in a networked society. Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2013;16(8):561-567. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2012.0627 Abstract: Teen dating violence (TDV) is a serious form of youth violence that youth fairly commonly experience. Although youth extensively use computer-mediated communication (CMC), the epidemiology of CMC-based TDV is largely unknown. This study examined how perpetration of psychological TDV using CMC compares and relates to perpetration using longer-standing modes of communication (LSMC; e.g., face-to-face). Data from the national Growing up with Media study involving adolescents aged 14-19 collected from October 2010 to February 2011 and analyzed May 2012 are reported. Analyses … [Read more...]
Accessing sexual health information online: use, motivations and consequences for youth with different sexual orientations
Mitchell KJ, Ybarra ML, Korchmaros JD, Kosciw JG. Accessing sexual health information online: use, motivations and consequences for youth with different sexual orientations. Health Educ Res. 2014;29(1):147-157. doi: 10.1093/her/cyt071 Abstract: We examine reasons why youth of different sexual orientations look for sexual health information online, and what, if anything, they do with it. The Teen Health and Technology study involved online surveys of 5542 Internet users, ages 13 through 18 in the United States. Searching for sexual health information online was reported frequently and varied significantly by sexual orientation: from 19% of heterosexual youth to 78% of gay/lesbian/queer youth. The most common reasons youth look for sexual health information is for privacy and curiosity. … [Read more...]
Feasibility and acceptability of a text messaging-based smoking cessation program in Ankara, Turkey
Ybarra ML, Holtrop JS, Bağci Bosi AT, Bilir N, Korchmaros JD, Emri S. Feasibility and acceptability of a text messaging-based smoking cessation program in Ankara, Turkey. J Health Commun. 2013;18(8):960-973. doi: 10.1080/10810730.2012.757399 Abstract: Data from high-income countries suggest that cell phone-based smoking cessation programs have the potential to affect cessation rates. There is a paucity of research, however, about the feasibility of cell phone-based smoking cessation programs in lower income countries that have higher smoking prevalence rates. A one-arm feasibility and acceptability pilot study of SMS Turkey, a text messaging-based smoking cessation program, was conducted in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. The authors recruited 75 daily smokers who were seriously … [Read more...]
Examining the applicability of the IMB model in predicting condom use among sexually active secondary school students in Mbarara, Uganda
Ybarra ML, Korchmaros J, Kiwanuka J, Bangsberg DR, Bull S. Examining the applicability of the IMB model in predicting condom use among sexually active secondary school students in Mbarara, Uganda. AIDS Behav. 2013;17(3):1116-1128. doi: 10.1007/s10461-012-0137-x Abstract: The applicability of the IMB model in predicting condom use was tested among 390 sexually active secondary school students in Mbarara, Uganda. Adolescents across five secondary schools completed a self-report survey about their health and sexual experiences. Based upon results from structural equation modeling, the IMB model partially predicts condom use. Condom use was directly predicted by HIV prevention information and behavioral skills regarding having and using condoms. It was indirectly predicted (through … [Read more...]
Socio-cultural and economic antecedents of adolescent sexual decision-making and HIV-risk in rural Uganda
Katz IT, Ybarra ML, Wyatt MA, Kiwanuka J, Bangsberg DR, Ware NC. Socio-cultural and economic antecedents of adolescent sexual decision-making and HIV-risk in rural Uganda. AIDS Care. 2013;25(2):258-264. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2012.701718 Abstract: With more than half of new infections occurring among youth, HIV/AIDS remains a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in Uganda. Semi-structured interviews were performed with 48 adolescents and 15 adult key informants in a rural Ugandan community to identify influences on adolescent sexual decision-making. Inductive data analytic methods revealed five thematic influences: (1) social pressure, (2) decline of the Senga (a familial figure who traditionally taught female adolescents about how to run a household), (3) cultural barriers to … [Read more...]
Pilot RCT results of Stop My Smoking USA: a text messaging-based smoking cessation program for young adults
Ybarra ML, Holtrop JS, Prescott TL, Rahbar MH, Strong D. Pilot RCT results of Stop My Smoking USA: a text messaging-based smoking cessation program for young adults. Nicotine Tob Res. 2014;15(8): 1388-1399. doi: 10.1093/ntr/nts339 Abstract: INTRODUCTION: To address the lack of smoking cessation programs available to young adults, Stop My Smoking (SMS) USA, a text messaging-based smoking cessation program, was developed and pilot tested. METHODS: This was a two-arm randomized controlled trial with adaptive randomization (arms were balanced by sex and smoking level [heavy vs. light]), conducted nationally in the United States. One hundred sixty-four 18- to 25-year-old daily smokers who were seriously thinking about quitting in the next 30 days were randomized to either (a) the 6-week … [Read more...]
A text messaging-based smoking cessation program for adult smokers: randomized controlled trial
Ybarra M, Bağcı Bosi AT, Korchmaros J, Emri S. A text messaging-based smoking cessation program for adult smokers: randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res. 2012;14(6):e172. doi:10.2196/jmir.2231 Abstract: BACKGROUND: Despite promising data in Western countries, there is a dearth of research into the efficacy of text messaging-based smoking cessation programs in other settings, including the Middle East, where smoking prevalence rates are higher. OBJECTIVE: This paper reports cessation rates observed in SMS Turkey, a text messaging-based smoking cessation program for adult smokers in Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: This study was a small-scale, parallel-group randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in Ankara, Turkey. Participants were adult daily smokers who were seriously … [Read more...]
Usability and navigability of an HIV/AIDS internet intervention for adolescents in a resource-limited setting
Ybarra ML, Biringi R, Prescott T, Bull SS. Usability and navigability of an HIV/AIDS internet intervention for adolescents in a resource-limited setting. Comput Inform Nurs. 2012;30(11):587-595. doi: 10.1097/NXN.0b013e318266cb0e Abstract: Use of the Internet is growing in Sub-Saharan Africa. Evidence of computer and Internet effectiveness for reduction in risk behaviors associated with HIV shown in US settings has yet to be replicated in Africa. We describe the development, usability, and navigability testing of an Internet-based HIV prevention program for secondary school students in Uganda, called CyberSenga. For this work, we used four data collection activities, including observation of (a) computer skills and (b) navigation, (c) focus group discussions, and (d) field assessments … [Read more...]
Design considerations in developing a text messaging program aimed at smoking cessation is among adult smokers in Ankara, Turkey
Ybarra ML, Holtrop JS, Bağci Bosi AT, Emri S. Design considerations in developing a text messaging program aimed at smoking cessation is among adult smokers in Ankara, Turkey. J Med Internet Res. 2012;14(4):e103. doi: 10.2196/jmir.2061 Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cell phone text messaging is gaining increasing recognition as an important tool that can be harnessed for prevention and intervention programs across a wide variety of health research applications. Despite the growing body of literature reporting positive outcomes, very little is available about the design decisions that scaffold the development of text messaging-based health interventions. What seems to be missing is documentation of the thought process of investigators in the initial stages of protocol and content development. … [Read more...]