The Men’s Safer Sex (MenSS) Trial: a website to increase condom use
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An interactive digital intervention to increase condom use in heterosexual men in sexual health clinics: a pilot trial and qualitative evaluation of trial procedures
IRAS ID
139328
Contact name
Julia Bailey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN18649610
Research summary
Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a major public health problem. While condoms provide effective protection, there are many barriers to use. Face to face interventions to promote condom use have had mixed results, and are costly and resource intensive to deliver. Interactive digital interventions (e.g. websites, smartphone applications) may provide a suitable alternative, giving self-directed, anonymous access to personally tailored information and activities. An interactive digital intervention (a website) has been developed which aims to increase condom use in heterosexual men in sexual health clinics. This pilot trial assesses the feasibility of testing this intervention in a future full scale randomised controlled trial.
Participants (male, heterosexual, over 18, practising sexual risk behaviour) will be recruited from three sexual health clinics. They will be allocated to receive either usual clinical care or usual care plus the interactive digital intervention. The aim of the intervention is to increase condom use and to decrease rates of STI.
At baseline (prior to randomisation), participants will be asked to fill in an online questionnaire with questions about their condom use, STI diagnoses, and other outcomes such as knowledge, intention and motivation to use condoms. The online questionnaire will be repeated 3, 6, 9, and 12 months later. At 12 months, STI rates will be assessed by reviewing sexual health clinic medical records. We will also conduct an analysis to assess the cost effectiveness of the interactive intervention, and conduct a qualitative study seeking participants’ and clinic staff views of the trial procedures.
This pilot trial will determine the best design for a future full-scale randomised controlled trial.REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1801
Date of REC Opinion
14 Feb 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion