Can text messages increase safer sex behaviours in young people': Pilot Study Interviews

We are inviting you to take part in a research study. Before you decide, it is important that you know why we are doing the study and what is involved. Please read the following information carefully.

What is the study?

We are interviewing young people who are participating in the texting sexual health study about their experiences of receiving the text messages.

Why have I been chosen?

We want to find out if text messages for young people about their sexual health can be supportive and acceptable.

Do I have to take part?

No, it is up to you to decide whether to take part.

What will happen if I take part?

After you have had all your questions answered and have agreed to take part, we will ask you to provide consent either by email or by text. We will then arrange an interview either in person or over the phone, whichever you prefer. In the interview we will ask you about what you thought about receiving the text messages and for your recommendations for improvement. We will then contact you a few months later for a shorter follow up interview. With your permission, we will record both interviews. Everything you say in the interview will remain confidential.

Will you compensate me for the time this takes?

We will give you £20 for completing the interview as a thank you for helping us. If you prefer to be interviewed in person, we will compensate you for your travel costs.

What do I have to do?

If you agree to take part you will need to provide consent and complete the interview.

What are the alternatives?

You do not have to take part.

What are the possible disadvantages in taking part?

Completing the interview will take up some of your time. We also cannot promise that your health will benefit from taking part.

What are the possible benefits of taking part?

Your interview will help us find out if text messages can promote safer sex in young people.

What happens when the study stops?

After we have interviewed enough participants, we will compare what everyone has said to help us better understand young people’s experience of receiving the sexual health texts.

What will happen if I don't want to carry on with the study?

If you want to end the interview, tell the researcher. They will then stop the interview. You do not have to give a reason for wanting to end the interview.

What if there is a problem?

You can contact the Study Coordinator if there is a problem (Ona McCarthy, 020 7927 2581, ona.mccarthy@lshtm.ac.uk . If you would like to make a formal complaint, contact Dr Cari Free (caroline.free@lshtm.ac.uk) who will follow the complaints procedure.

Will my taking part in this study be kept confidential?

Yes. All information you provide in the interview will remain confidential. With your permission, we will record the interview. The transcript from the interview will be stored anonymously, that is, your personal details won’t be connected to what you say in the interview. We will not inform your parents or your GP about your involvement in this research.

What will happen to the results of the research study?

The results of the study will be used to see if text messages are acceptable to young people and if young people are willing to complete questionnaires and provide urine or vaginal swab samples after receiving the messages.

The results will be published in a scientific journal so that other people know about it. If you would like a copy of the results please text ‘RESULTS’ to X.

Who is organising and funding the research?

The study is run by Dr Cari Free (Principal Investigator) from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, at the University of London. The UK National Institute for Health Research is funding the trial.

Who has reviewed the trial?

London-Surrey NHS Medical Research Ethics Committee.

Thank you for taking the time to consider taking part.

If you would like further information please contact the Study Coordinator (details below)

The team contact details

Ona McCarthy (Study Coordinator)

Department of Population Health

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Keppel St

London

WC1E 7HT

Tel: 020 7927 2581

ona.mccarthy@lshtm.ac.uk