1Researcher, College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
2Assistant Professor, College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
Online published on 5 May, 2018.
This study examined the effectiveness of Short Message Service (SMS) intervention to promote safe sex among army conscripts in a province in Thailand.
A quasi-experimental design.
Military conscripts in Lop Buri province Thailand.
A multi-stage sampling of respondents (n=192) were stratified into 3 groups: 1-way, 2-way SMS and a control groups. Both 1-way and 2-way SMS groups received a text messaging 2 times/weeks during the 3 months of the intervention period. The 2-way SMS group, they were allowed to send SMS back when they need more information. Data were collected at baseline, followed at 1, 3 and 6 months after intervention.
Safe sex with condom use was significantly different for 1-way SMS group (p-value<0.05). Abstinence from alcohol drinking before or during having sex was different for 2-way SMS group (p-value<0.05).
The study has demonstrated the benefits of SMS intervention in promoting safer sex practices either 1-way or 2-way SMS, but a strengthening program is required for fostering safe sex behaviors among army conscripts.
Short Message Service (SMS), Safe sex, Conscripts
