Evaluation of the impact of an online video game as an educational intervention on sexual health and the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sexually transmitted infection: A randomised controlled trial protocol

Abstract

Abstract Background: The incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is increasing, especially among young people. Tools are needed to increase knowledge about sex education and STI prevention and treatment. Gamification can be a good training tool for both young people and health professionals. The primary objective of this study is to assess the impact of a training intervention on STI prevention, detection, and treatment in primary care professionals. Methods/design: We propose a multicentre cluster randomised controlled trial. Groups of primary care professionals will receive an intervention (online video game on sex education and STIs [SEXIT]) and will be compared with control groups that will not receive the intervention. Group assignments will be randomised by clusters. The study will consist of a pre-post evaluation of the intervention: a knowledge test will be administered before and after the intervention and 3 months after the intervention. This test will also be carried out in the same time sequence on control groups. The impact of the training intervention will be evaluated for 6 months by studying different variables related to the clinical approach to STIs by studying the clinical records of diagnostic tests and antibiotic prescriptions related to the clinical approach to STIs. The required sample size is 262 (131 per group). Discussion: An improvement in knowledge and in clinical behavioural outcomes after the intervention is expected for participants in the intervention groups compared to the control groups. We plan to develop an educational video game to increase knowledge about sexuality, STIs and violence.