Tucker, Joseph D; Chikwari, Chido Dziva; Tang, Weiming; Jarolimova, Jana; Gravett, Ronnie; Goense, Cornelia JD; Matoga, Mitch M; Tan, Rayner KJ; Niaupari, Steph; Morroni, Chelsea; +1 more... Van Der Pol, Barbara; (2024) A Conference Designathon to Spark Innovation: Actionable Ideas to Enhance Sexually Transmitted Disease Control. Sexually transmitted diseases, 51 (7). e31-e35. ISSN 0148-5717 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001965
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Designathons can be used to enhance public health training and spur innovation. A designathon is a 3-stage participatory activity that includes preparation, intensive collaboration, and follow-up activities. We organized a designathon focused on developing actionable sexually transmitted disease (STD) control strategies and examined the content of ideas resulting from an STD designathon. METHODS: For this designathon, we created four groups: early career researchers, silver group (people with >10 years of experience), travelers (people from low- and middle-income countries and those who received a conference scholarship) and a community group. Each group developed its own plan to consult members, iteratively develop ideas, and aggregate insights. Each group developed STD control strategies that were presented. Cross-cutting themes across these ideas were identified. RESULTS: Designathon participants included a subset of conference participants. Cross-cutting themes from final ideas included cocreating STD interventions with end-users, using sex-positive framing, enhancing open access digital STD resources, and reducing STD stigma. Early career researchers presented a call for community ideas focusing on ending STD epidemics by increasing accessibility to STD care services among all populations. The silver group proposed digital innovations, including an AI-powered tool for testing and treatment and a social game to promote sex positivity. The traveler group conceptualized an information hub to support implementation of STD programs. Community members underscored the importance of a more human-centered approach to STD control, which reduces stigma and normalizes sex and sexual pleasure. CONCLUSION: Sex positive campaigns and open access digital resources should be considered within STD programs. Implementation research studies are needed to evaluate these ideas.
Item Type | Article |
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Faculty and Department | Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases > Dept of Clinical Research |
PubMed ID | 38465975 |
Elements ID | 226246 |
Official URL | http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/olq.0000000000001965 |
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