Sexual Health, Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), Health Literacy
Conditions
Keywords
gamification, Interactive Narrative, Sexual Health Education, Reproductive Health, Female University Students
Brief summary
This randomized controlled trial evaluates the effectiveness of an analog gamification-based interactive narrative intervention (REPRO-QUEST) on enhancing sexual health literacy and behaviors aimed at protecting against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among female university students. Participants in the intervention group participate in the REPRO-QUEST interactive narrative game session, while participants in the control group receive standard evidence-based educational material on sexual health and STI prevention (an Educational Booklet). Sexual health literacy and protective behaviors against STIs are assessed at baseline and post-intervention to evaluate the efficacy of gamified learning compared to standard educational materials.
Detailed description
Sexual health education among young adults often faces engagement challenges when delivered solely through traditional informational formats. Gamification and interactive narrative-based interventions offer active learning environments that may improve knowledge retention, critical decision-making, and protective behavioral intentions. In this randomized controlled study, eligible female university students are randomly allocated into two parallel groups: Intervention Group (REPRO-QUEST): Participants undergo an analog gamification-based interactive narrative session designed to facilitate decision-making scenarios, risk reduction strategies, and practical knowledge application regarding reproductive health and STI prevention. Control Group (Educational Booklet): Participants receive a comprehensive, guideline-aligned educational booklet covering safe sexual practices, STI prevention strategies (including pharmacological options such as PrEP, PEP, and TaSP), and reproductive health fundamentals. Outcomes measured before and after the intervention evaluate changes in comprehensive sexual health literacy levels and protective behavioral measures against sexually transmitted infections.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALREPRO-QUEST Interactive Narrative
An analog gamification-based interactive narrative booklet featuring branching storylines and decision-making scenarios designed to enhance sexual health literacy and STI prevention behaviors.
BEHAVIORALEducational Booklet
A standard evidence-based educational booklet on safe sexual health practices and STI prevention published by the Turkish Family Health and Planning Foundation (TAPV).
Sponsors
Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Intervention model description
A two-arm, parallel-group, pretest-posttest randomized controlled trial design.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Being a female undergraduate student currently enrolled at the university. * Being aged 18 years or older. * Volunteering to participate in the study and providing informed consent. * Able to read, understand, and communicate in Turkish.
Exclusion criteria
* Refusal to provide informed consent. * Previous participation in a similar gamified sexual health education program. * Incomplete submission of pre-test or post-test evaluation instruments.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Behaviors Aimed at Protecting Against Sexually Transmitted Infections | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention | Assessed using the Scale for Behaviors Aimed at Protecting Against Sexually Transmitted Infections. The instrument evaluates protective behavioral intentions, barrier contraceptive practices, risk perception, and preventative measures against STIs. Higher scores indicate greater engagement in protective health behaviors. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual Health Literacy Level | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention | Assessed using the Sexual Health Literacy Scale (SHLS). The scale measures overall sexual health literacy across functional, interactive, and critical dimensions. Higher total scores indicate higher levels of sexual health literacy. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed