Experience with an Internet-based, theoretically grounded educational resource for the promotion of sexual and reproductive health

Azy Barak, William A. Fisher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The current article reports on the development and utilization of an Internet-based, theoretically-grounded educational resource for the promotion of sexual and reproductive health. Based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills (1MB) model of health behaviour change (J. Fisher & Fisher, 1992; W. Fisher & Fisher, 1993), and exploiting characteristics of the Internet that are uniquely suited to sexual and reproductive health promotion communication, a comprehensive, content-rich, dual-language website (www.sexualityandu.ca-www.masexualite.ca) was launched on 1 November, 2001. Follow-up data, collected six to eight months after website launch, showed that the site was widely and intensively used by Internet surfers worldwide. Over 1000 visitors per day took advantage of a variety of website sections and functions dealing with sexual and reproductive health issues and remained on the site for an average of 11 minutes. Surfers' use of three interactive quizzes, that provided immediate educational feedback, was also extensive. These experiences provide a basis for further development of sexual and reproductive health promotion resources which are theoretically guided and which exploit characteristics of the Internet uniquely suited to this objective.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)293-308
Number of pages16
JournalSexual and Relationship Therapy
Volume18
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2003

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors wish to thank the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada and the Foundation for the Promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health for assistance with the preparation of this manuscript.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Experience with an Internet-based, theoretically grounded educational resource for the promotion of sexual and reproductive health'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this