1999 Partnerships Technology Games
at PREVENTION 99

March 18-20, 1999

What could you do?

What could you do? is a theoretically based CD-interactive (CDI) program designed to educate young women about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and increase their ability to make and implement personal decisions that decrease their risks. The multimedia programs is designed to be used by patients in primary care settings, but does not require the direct participation of providers or their office staff. The programs's content was developed based upon mental models' interviews with young women. These semi-structured interviews identified gaps and misperceptions in respondents' knowledge of STDs and clarified how they make decisions regarding their own sexuality. The intervention focuses on the information most needed to complete young women's mental models. What could you do?" allows viewers to choose from different vignettes. Reflecting Bandura's theory of self efficacy, the program incorporates cognitive rehearsal within these vignettes exploring decisions that may arise in relationships. Other segments clarify (a) what happens during a gynecological exam and how to speak with the health care provider, (b) general information about STDs and specific information about eight STDs and (c) how to acquire condoms and insist on their use. "What could you do?" is part of a collaborative research project of faculty from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, funded by NIAID through an STD Center Research grant awared to Magee-Women's Hospital. Current research compares two other interventions with the CDi.

The Technology Games will begin at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 18 and end Saturday, March 20 at 10:45 a.m.

Visit Table 14 in the Exhibit Hall to learn more about What could you do?

Contact Information

Slippery Rock University
Department of Nursing
Slippery Rock, PA, 15217
Contact: Joyce Penrose White, Coordinator of Clarion University/Slippery Rock University FNP Graduate Program
Phone: 724-738-2881
Fax: 724-738-2323
E-mail: joyce.white@sru.edu

Carnegie Mellon University
Social and Decision Sciences
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Contact: Claire Palmgren, Carnegie Mellon Researcher
Phone: 412-268-3249
Fax: 412-268-6938
E-mail: claire.palmgren@cmu.edu

Return to Technology Games Participants

Contact: games99@health.org       Updated: 04/02/01