54. A Qualitative Analysis of Health Educators’ Perspectives on Use Of Blended In-Person And Digitally-Based Curriculum to Improve Reproductive Health of Youth in Fresno, CA

Abstract

In the last decade, use of technology-based sexual health education programs to reduce sexually transmitted infections and undesired adolescent pregnancy has increased. Multiple studies have shown feasibility of technology-based interventions in improving youths’ sexual health outcomes (e.g. condom use, sexual health knowledge, safer sex norms, etc.), while a subset have also shown efficacy in these domains. Health educators play a vital role in the use of technology to augment sexual health curricula, so facilitating the implementation of technology for educators is necessary for maintaining technology as a viable resource for engaging with youth and improving sexual health outcomes. The purpose of this qualitative study is to examine the successes and challenges health educators faced in implementing "In the Know", a blended in-person and digitally-based curriculum, to youth in Fresno County, California. "In the Know" covers sexual and reproductive health, healthy relationships and life skills, and education and career success. The "In the Know" curriculum also includes access to the "In the Know" mobile application, which allows users to take the knowledge gained in the classroom to generate health and career goals, set reminders to keep them on track, browse curated content, and receive text messages reinforcing key messages. Participants can also locate clinics and other services on a map.