Study protocol for a peer-led web-based intervention to promote safe usage of dating applications among young adults: a cluster randomized controlled trial

Stephanie Tsz Hei Lau, Kitty Wai Ying Choi, Julie Chen, William Pak-Hing Mak, Ho Kong Christopher Au Yeung, Joseph Tucker, William Chi-Wai Wong, Stephanie Tsz Hei Lau, Kitty Wai Ying Choi, Julie Chen, William Pak-Hing Mak, Ho Kong Christopher Au Yeung, Joseph Tucker, William Chi-Wai Wong

Abstract

Background: Dating applications are a popular platform to meet new people. At the same time, they have been associated with risks such as unsafe sexual behavior and privacy concerns in young adults. This paper presents a study protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer-led web-based intervention to promote its safe usage in young adults.

Methods: The study design is an open-labeled cluster RCT with an intervention and a placebo control arm. The intervention group will receive a web-based intervention developed through focus group discussions, a crowdsourcing contest, and a Peer-Vetted Creative Production (PVCP) workshop. The control group will receive a web-based resource on health and exercise. We aim to recruit approximately 338 young adults aged 17-27 years from three tertiary educational institutions in Hong Kong with the class as the cluster unit. Based on the Information, Motivation, and Behavioral Skills (IMB) model, the primary outcome of this study is self-efficacy in using dating applications measured by the General Self Efficacy Scale. Secondary outcomes include change in risk perception measured by the Risk Propensity Scale and a Risk Assessment Tool. Questionnaires will be administered before the intervention, after the intervention, and at one-month follow-up. Intention-to-treat analysis and multilevel regression modeling will be used to evaluate differences in outcomes between groups and the factors affecting these outcomes, respectively.

Discussion: Dating application usage presents opportunities as well as challenges to young adults meeting new friends. Innovative and relatable interventions are needed to promote the safe usage of dating applications to this population. Practical knowledge gained from the development process may be helpful for future intervention utilizing the peer-led approach. If effective, the intervention will be disseminated to non-governmental organizations and educational institutions to be used as a teaching resource.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03685643 . Registered on 26 September 2018. University of Hong Kong Clinical Trials Registry, HKUCTR-2512.

Keywords: Chinese; Cluster randomized controlled trial; Dating applications; Sexual health risks; Young adults.

Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This protocol has been developed in accordance to the SPIRIT Checklist (Additional file 9) [36]. The CONSORT 2010 Statement will be used in the reporting of the final manuscript for the study [37]. This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Hong Kong (IRB) with reference number UW 18-369. Any protocol modifications will be reported to the IRB and a resubmission of the application will be done if deemed necessary. The study does not involve any additional clinical interventions to the participants; however, participants may feel uncomfortable discussing sensitive information such as sexual behavior, user privacy, and legal issues. The investigative team will ensure participants that their information is kept strictly confidential. One issue is that participants may be under the legal age of 18 years. Our investigative team will work closely with the educational institutions to ensure that the school approves of the content. Informed consent will not be obtained from the parents or legal guardians of students who are aged < 18 years, as the school will provide consent for the students in loco parentis. The content of the intervention was developed and approved by sexual health experts, NGO workers, and university staff to ensure that it is appropriate for the target population. Study data will be handled and stored in a password encrypted computer and only accessed by members of the investigative team. Investigative team member SL will obtain written consent from the participants and be available to answer any questions throughout the duration of the study. Patients are given ample time to read the subject information and consent form and can ask questions before signing. Participants will continue to have access to the web-based resources and may contact the investigative team if they have any other issues or questions after the study ends.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study flow chart
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Spirit figure of study timeline

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