Title: Sexual health promotion for young people delivered via digital media: a scoping review
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: Aim:This work will scope appraise and synthesise available evidence on digital interventions for sexual health for young people integrating the findings with key informant views (both professional and lay) to produce summaries of evidence on investment in future research development and implementation of digital interventions for sexual health. Objectives:* To appraise and synthesise evidence on effectiveness cost-effectiveness and mechanism of action of digital interventions for sexual health* To determine optimal research methods for intervention evaluation * To determine optimal practice for intervention development and identify front running interventions* To appraise and synthesise evidence on contexts for successful implementation of digital interventions for sexual health* To delineate gaps in available evidence* To provide evidence-based pointers for local and national policy in relation to the adoption and implementation of digital interventions for sexual health* To scope the future potential for sexual health promotion by digital mediaStudy design-The work involves the integration of findings from systematic and rapid evidence syntheses with key informant views (both professional and lay). The work falls into five related research topics:A. Systematic review and meta-analyses of evidence on effectiveness of digital interventions for sexual health promotion * How effective are digital interventions for sexual health promotion?* What features of interventions participants or settings are associated with efficacy? * What are the effects on health inequalities?- Systematic literature search for RCTs of digital interventions for sexual health promotion- Meta-analyses- Meta-regression……………………………………………………………………………….............................................B. Optimum research methodology to evaluate digital interventions* What are the strengths of different research methods to evaluate digital interventions?* What are the challenges of conducting randomised controlled trials of digital interventions?* What are optimal comparators (controls)?* What are the best ways of measuring outcomes (including social and emotional wellbeing)?* How can we maximise the strength and quality of evidence?- Focused literature search (for qualitative and quantitative evidence on research methodology concerning digital interventions for sexual health promotion)- Review of reviews (on research methodology from other fields)- Key informant interviews (experts health researchers’ views on optimum research methodologies)- Key informant interviews (young people’s views on suitable outcomes)- Expert symposium (to debate areas of controversy on optimal research methods)………………………………………………………………….........................................................C. Optimum design development and implementation of digital interventions for sexual health promotion* What are the barriers and facilitators for successful design development and implementation?* What is best practice for sexual health digital intervention design and development?* What are the mechanisms of action of digital interventions for sexual health promotion? * Which behaviour change theory and techniques should be incorporated?* What are the merits of alternative models of intervention delivery? (e.g. direct vs. facilitated access)* What are the merits of alternative modes of intervention delivery? (e.g. different technological platforms)* How can intervention access uptake and adherence be optimised?* Are there ‘front running’ digital interventions for sexual health suitable for further research?- Focused literature search (for qualitative quantitative and theoretical evidence on design development and implementation)- Review of reviews (on design development and implementation from other fields)- Key informant interviews (experts views on digital intervention design development and implementation)- Key informant interviews (young people’s views on digital intervention design and implementation)- Expert symposium (to debate areas of controversy on design development and implementation) ………………………………………………………………................................................................D. Costs cost-effectiveness and optimal methods for economic measurement and modelling in sexual health* What are the costs of digital interventions for sexual health?* Are digital interventions for sexual health cost-effective?* What is the scale of possible health and cost benefits?* What are the optimal methods for economic measurement and modelling in a sexual health context?- Focused literature search (for papers which report costs cost-effectiveness and health economic outcomes for digital interventions for sexual health promotion) - Key informant interviews (experts views on optimal methods for economic measurement and modelling)- Expert symposium (to debate areas of controversy on optimal methods for economic measurement and modelling)……………………………………………………...................................................................…….E. Future potential for sexual health promotion via digital media* What are the barriers and facilitators to future implementation of digital interventions for sexual health?* How should digital interventions integrate with current educational and health promotion practice?* Should sexual health promotion interventions be linked with other digital interventions e.g. for alcohol and drug use harm reduction?* Where is this field leading?* What strategic investments are needed in future research or implementation to optimise the potential of digital media interventions for young people?- Focused literature search (for reviews reports and opinion pieces concerning the future potential of digital interventions for sexual health promotion)- Internet search to scan the horizon on future potential- Key informant interviews (experts views on future potential)- Key informant interviews (young people’s views on the future potential)- Expert symposium (to debate the future potential of digital interventions for sexual health promotion)


Research activity codes: 3.2 INTERVENTIONS TO ALTER PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS;3.1 PRIMARY PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS TO MODIFY BEHAVIOURS OR PROMOTE WELL-BEING
Health categories: REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND CHILDBIRTH;INFECTION