Video-based versus Medical Personnel-led Training for the Knowledge on Condom Use, Partner Notification and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Rural Communities in Thailand: A Randomized Comparison Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: To compare the knowledge regarding partner notification (PN), condom use (CU) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) after video-based or medical personnel-led training.
Methods: From December 2016 to January 2017, we conducted an opened-label randomized study in four communities (20 participants/ community) in Bangsaphannoi district, Prachuabkirikhan province. In each community, the participants were randomly allocated into Group A (medical personnel-led training) or Group B (video-based training). Both trainings covered similar contents which included knowledge about STIs (5 minutes); how to safely notify their partners (10 minutes) and techniques of correct condom use (10 minutes). Participants’ knowledge was assessed by five one-best questions for each topic before and after the training. Comparison of scores within group and between groups was done by using Wilcoxon rank sum test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. P <0.05 was
considered statistically significant.
Results: From 160 eligible participants, 148 could complete the study (74 in Group A and 74 in Group B). Between two groups, there was no difference of participants’ characteristics, including age, education, employment, sex debut, STIs and number of partners. Both training techniques significantly improved participants’ knowledge and there
was no difference between them. The lowest median score and least improvement of knowledge were found in PN.
Conclusion: At the community level, both video-based training and medical personnel-led training improve the knowledge on PN, CU and STIs with comparable results.