Play as a prevention strategy: Using a web app to teach youth about STDs

Introduction Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in Norway. In 2012, the 85,7% of reported chlamydia cases were found in persons below 29 years of age. A game-style web app www.sjekkdeg.no optimized for desktop computers, mobile phones and tablet computers on sexual health has been running for 1 year. 1. Methods The web app includes the use of avatars, which provides anonymity in the visits and gives access to a symptom checker, written lessons, and videos on sexual health. Google analytics was used to collect data and evaluate the usefulness of this approach to help the Norwegian youth become more aware of STDs and preventing their spread. 2. Results The Google Analytics statistics for the entire 2013, show that the web app had 3670 visits (35% returning visitors), with a mean of 20.6 pages/visit and a mean time on site of 5:02 minutes. A total of 2686 reached the web app through desktop computers, 637 from mobiles, and 347 from tablets. The symptom checker was the most visited page (6472 visits), followed by the written lessons (6013 visits). 3. Discussion Judging from the high rate of return users and the time users spent on the site, the educative web app on sexual health sjekkdeg.no seems to be a promising way to encourage Norwegian youth to learn more about STDs and prevent their spread.