Web-based institutional health promotion initiatives for young people: The ‘Chiediloqui’ project

Abstract

Purpose: Because of its availability anonymity, and low access cost, the Internet is an increasingly common way for adolescents to find information on sensitive issues. In the context of web-based institutional health promotion initiatives aimed at young people, the purpose of this exploratory experience is to map the principal themes and needs of the young people who write to the experts and operators of the portal implemented in Italy Chiediloqui.it (Askithere/kjedilokwi/).Methods: Chat and email tools are available for two health topics: ‘Affectivity and Sexuality’ and ‘Body and Nutrition.’ From May of 2012 to December of 2014, the portal received 342 576 visits overall and 2294 queries in total. The authors used an evaluation form to identify the following: (1) demographic data; (2) communication content (area and subthemes); and (3) expressed needs.Results: Within the Affectivity and Sexuality category, the most frequent issues addressed were STDs (58%), followed by pregnancies, both wanted and unwanted, and sexuality. In the Body and Nutrition category, the issues most frequently dealt with were related to eating disorders, including ED NOS, anorexia, and bulimia (66%), followed by body issues dealing with nutritional intolerance and several somatoform disorders. The findings also reveal that chat and email services may represent alternative channels, for public institutions, to address the health care needs of young people and tools to create a link between young people and health care professionals.Conclusion: An institutional web portal has a useful role in increasing knowledge, breaking the misinformation cycle, changing attitudes, helping to build health skills, and promoting appropriate healthy lifestyles among adolescents.