Seventeen Days

Name: Seventeen Days
Author: Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University

CLINICAL GRADE

Validated in clinical trials · Initial evidence

For:General Public & Enthusiasts

Free

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App Summary

Seventeen Days is an interactive video intervention designed to help young women build skills for sexual health decisions regarding contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A randomized controlled trial found that female adolescents (ages 14-19) who used the program reported significantly higher perceived self-efficacy for acquiring condoms at a 6-month follow-up compared to a control group. The authors conclude that the program shows promise for improving this key precursor to behavior change.

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Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism Seventeen Days delivers educational content on contraception and STIs through a theory-based, interactive video series. The system presents narrative scenarios depicting decision points in adolescent relationships, allowing viewers to select different pathways. The core mechanism leverages cognitive rehearsal, a technique where the interface prompts viewers to mentally practice deploying risk-reduction strategies in hypothetical situations. This process is designed to build self-efficacy for safer sexual health behaviors within a brief, self-directed session.

Evidence & Research Context

A multisite randomized controlled trial evaluated the intervention among sexually active female adolescents (ages 14-19) across 20 clinical and public health sites.
At 6-month follow-up, participants in the intervention group reported significantly higher perceived self-efficacy for condom acquisition compared to an attention-matched control group.
The associated research concludes that the program is a promising tool for improving an important psychological precursor to safer-sex behavior change in this population.

Intended Use & Scope This system is designed as an educational intervention for female adolescents, suitable for use in clinical or public health settings. Its primary utility is to augment standard counseling by building self-efficacy for safer sexual health practices. The tool does not provide medical advice or contraception and is not a substitute for professional healthcare consultation regarding individual sexual health needs.

Studies & Publications

1 publication

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

RCT

Video Intervention to Increase Perceived Self-Efficacy for Condom Use in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Female Adolescents

Downs et al. (2018) · Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology

Increased confidence in obtaining condoms six months later compared to control video.

To assess the effects of the Seventeen Days interactive video on young women's perceived self-efficacy for using condoms 6 months after being offered the intervention, relative to a control. Multisite randomized controlled trial. Twenty participating health clinics and county health departments in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Sexually active female adolescents ages 14 to 19 years. Seventeen Days (treatment intervention; sex education) vs Driving Skills for Life (control intervention; driving education). Perceived self-efficacy for condom use. Participants in the Seventeen Days group reported higher perceived condom acquisition self-efficacy after 6 months than those in the driving group. This finding held after controlling for baseline self-efficacy scores and other covariates. The Seventeen Days program shows promise to improve perceived self-efficacy to acquire condoms among sexually active female adolescents-an important precursor to behavior change.