Web-based tailored STD/HIV risk communication: Studies on the effectiveness of theory-based automated risk communication methods and health risk messages
Projectomschrijving
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Samenvatting van de aanvraag
Risk communication is an essential component of health education since the acknowledgement of
personal susceptibility to health risks is a first step towards risk reduction. Scientific literature,
however, hardly provides insights in the effects of specific risk communication methods on risk
decision-making. The use of risk scenario information (i.e. information about the process that
underlies the occurrence of a risky event), and individualized risk communication (i.e. direct
behavioral feedback) both seem to be promising risk communication methods to affect risk
decision-making. One of the major barriers of sexual risk reduction is that many do not acknowledge
that they are personal susceptible to hiv/std infection, and recent data suggest a huge increase in STD
prevalence and a huge decrease in condom use. This project will test 1) the potential of risk scenario
information and direct behavioral feedback to change risk perception and risk reduction regarding
HIV/STD, 2) the possibilities to design interactive web-based risk communication interventions to
enhance the widespread implementation of individualized std/hiv-risk communication. The project
further aims to provide additional insight in the effects of risk communication methods on the
determinants of risk perceptions and risk reduction decision-making. Studies will be focussed on
young heterosexually active adults.