Home-based intervention strategy to reduce new chlamydia infection among young men: the HIS-UK RCT

Background: Sexually transmitted infections pose a significant public health challenge in the United Kingdom, prompting the Department of Health and Social Care to prioritise sexually transmitted infection rate reduction as a means of addressing sexual health inequalities. Correct and consistent condom use is the most effective method of reducing sexually transmitted infection transmission. Methods: A randomised controlled trial with three arms (two intervention arms and one control arm) was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the home-based intervention strategy United Kingdom intervention in reducing chlamydia test positivity among 16- to 25-year-old men, and individuals with a penis, at risk of sexually transmitted infections. The home-based intervention strategy United Kingdom intervention, delivered either face to face by health promotion professionals or digitally through an interactive website, aimed to enhance condom use experiences and improve correct and consistent condom use. The control group received usual condom distribution care. Chlamydia screening was conducted at baseline and 6 months post randomisation, with follow-up through online questionnaires. Of the 2387 individuals assessed for eligibility, 1233 were eligible, and 725 participants completed all baseline assessments and were randomised (health promotion professionals: 241, interactive website: 243, control: 241). Five hundred and eighty men received the intervention arm as randomised (health promotion professionals: 51.9%, interactive website: 93.8%, control: 94.2%); 51.7% of participants engaged during follow-up, with 21.4% providing baseline and follow-up chlamydia screening results.