Using Wix to Improving Access to Sexual Health Education

Background:  The purpose of this study was to develop a strategy to improve access to sexual health education for the people of Louisiana based on the response from state-wide focus groups.  With 4.67 million people living in Louisiana, coupled with the state’s national rankings for STDs in 2014 (#1 for gonorrhea case rates, #1 for congenital syphilis case rates, #2 for primary and secondary syphilis, and #3 for chlamydia case rates), the Louisiana Office of Public Health, STD/HIV Program (SHP) concluded the importance of making sexual health education more accessible and creating a platform that is more attractive and user-friendly.  

Program background:  In 2009, the Louisiana Office of Public Health contracted an agency to develop a statewide website for SHP.  Using the latest version CSS and HTML coding, HIV411.org was created by an outside contractor as an online resource for STD/HIV information and a central location for individuals who were interested in registering for Counseling, Testing and Referral Training (CTR).  After a focus group review of SHP’s marketing efforts, the results indicated that the design of a website created in 2009 was no longer attractive or user-friendly in 2016.  Individuals primarily visited the site to register for CTR training and not to read the sexual health education information. From a financial perspective, the amount of dollars spent on hosting and maintenance fees were not cost effective for the program.

Evaluation Methods and Results:  Recognizing advancements in content management systems and the benefits of hosting a website in-house, SHP developed plans to design a new online resource that would offer the end-user a user-centered experience by following the Gestalt design.  Utilizing the strategy below, SHP developed a new website called LouisianaHealthHub.org. 1)      Defined what success will mean for the new website (including user objectives) 2)      Researched market trends on healthcare websites 3)      Identified color scheme, logo, layout, and typography 4)      Created a sitemap 5)      Developed prototype 6)      Surveyed prototype via face-to-face interview 7)      Continued development 8)      Created responsive version for mobile devices 9)      Presented final versions to community group for feedback 10)   Launched website

Conclusions:  An outdated website can hinder the effectiveness of a message that a sender is trying to share with intended receivers.  By engaging the community in focus groups, SHP was able to best assess ways to improve the website for better message delivery.  SHP took a user-centered approach in designing a new site that presented information in Gestalt design, leaning toward visual appeal.  Since the website's launch, SHP has recorded cumulative increase in users (1,151) and page views (3,858).

Implications for research and/or practice:  Updating agency websites frequently will improve message delivery and keep the audience engaged.  Transitioning from an external host to hosting the website in-house via WIX aided in cost-saving measures.  By including stakeholders and community members in the design process, this practice garnered support for website promotion throughout the state.