Internet technologies in informing adolescents of prevention of sexually transmitted infections

INTRODUCTION: In the Russian Federation, informing schoolchildren of issues of sex education and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is regulated by a number of Federal Laws that establish the main principles, rights and responsibilities for parents, teachers, as well as students, in this area. Today, sex education is included in the educational programs of various subjects, such as fundamentals of health and safety, biology and others. A number of academic hours assigned to sex education, may vary depending on the region and educational organizations. Unfortunately, in most cases, the curriculum provides for only a few such classes per year. The Internet resources can significantly improve the awareness of schoolchildren of prevention of STIs attracting them with availability, anonymity and relevance of the information provided, which, however, requires the preliminary assessment by parents, teachers and users themselves.

AIM: To assess the information resource developed for the purpose of informing schoolchildren about issues of STI prevention.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study includes the results of an anonymous survey of 435 schoolchildren aged 14–17 years, as well as the results of the assessment of the chatbot by three groups of respondents: 154 students of Sechenov University, 20 members of the teaching staff of Sechenov University, 44 parents of senior high school students. The following study methods were used: analytical, sociological and expert assessments.

RESULTS: Based on the data obtained in the course of study, all the three groups of respondents, in assessing the chatbot, noted the need to increase the level of awareness of adolescents of STI prevention. The respondents also noted that the chatbot is understandable, useful for the learners, contains reliable information that is superior to the information that can be found on the Internet by schoolchildren on their own.

CONCLUSION: Informing schoolchildren of the questions of prevention of STIs plays an important role in formation of the reproductive behavior in the younger generation. The use of Internet resources in the educational programs on STI prevention can be an effective tool for increasing awareness and forming responsible behavior in terms of health issues and reproductive behavior.