Sexually transmitted infections are a major public health concern in the United Kingdom. Condoms are the most effective method at reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections if they are used consistently and correctly.

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The HIS-UK programme was designed to help men, and those with a penis, experience better sex when using condoms. We wanted to find out if those who received the HIS-UK information and advice were more positive about condoms, used condoms more and were less likely to test positive for chlamydia.

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We invited men living in England to join the trial; 2387 were screened to see if they could take part, and 580 took part in the final trial. All volunteers were aged 16–25 years and had recent experience of a sexual encounter, which put them at risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection.

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After 6 months, those who received the HIS-UK programme were:

1. more positive about condoms and identified fewer barriers to using them

2. more likely to agree that condoms can be enjoyable to use and can help you have better sex

3. more confident in their ability to use condoms correctly

4. more likely to use condoms and additional lubricant with sexual partners

5. less likely to report errors and problems when using condoms.

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Men who received HIS-UK were also less likely to test positive for chlamydia. However, it was not possible to fully assess the programme’s ability to reduce infection rates because of the reduced number of volunteers in the final trial (a result of COVID-19).

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The program’s impact on condom attitudes, increased usage and lower chlamydia rates highlights its relevance in promoting safer sex. We will share these findings with National Health Service health practitioners and commissioners with the hope that aspects of the programme are integrated into sexual health services provided to young people.

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Links to Publications from the HIS-UK Study:

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Stone N, Bedford R, Newby B, Brown B, Jackson L, Bremner S,

et al. Reducing new Chlamydia infection among young men by

promoting correct and consistent condom use: protocol for a

randomized controlled trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2022;11:e35729.

https://doi.org/10.2196/35729

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Bedford, R., Towler, L., Stone, N. & Graham, C. A. (2024). Evaluating the Home-Based Intervention Study (HIS-UK) to improve condom use skills and experience: A qualitative study.  International Journal of Sexual Health, 36(4), 515-528. https://doi.org/10.1080/19317611.2024.2382246

 

Stone, N., Graham, C. A., Bremner, S., McGrath, N., Bedford, R., Brown,. K., Newby, K.  Clarke, A., Jackson, L. Morrison, L., Nadarzynski, T., & To, Y. (2024). Evaluating the Home-based Intervention Strategy (HIS-UK) to reduce new chlamydia infection among young men aged 16-25 years by promoting correct and consistent condom use: findings from a randomised controlled trial. BMC Health Services Research, 25, 1607. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11911-2