STEPS2Socialization To Enrich Participation & Support Sexuality for Young People With I/DD

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effectiveness of a 6-week socialization and sex education curriculum (STEPS2) in young people (aged 16-27 years) with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including people with Down syndrome.

The main question it aims to answer is:

Does the STEPS2 health education curriculum increase the proportion of individuals who:

1. have had a discussion with a medical professional about their sexual health (including sexually transmitted infection testing for those who are sexually active);
2. know whether they have had the HPV vaccination;
3. have had the HPV vaccination;
4. know what sex is; and
5. know how people get pregnant.

These are the primary outcomes which are being measured one year after study enrollment. Secondary outcomes include knowledge around sexual health and behaviors around contraception and STI prevention among those sexually active at baseline, as well as satisfaction with the intervention.

Participants are randomized to receive either the socialization and sex education curriculum in the experimental group, called the STEPS2 curriculum, or a nutrition and physical exercise curriculum in the comparison group, called Steps To Your Health (STYH).

Participants in the STEPS2 experimental group meet with a health educator in one-on-one individually tailored sessions virtually once a week for one hour for 6 weeks. Participants in the STYH comparison group meet with a health educator in small group sessions of 6-10 participants virtually once a week for one hour for 6 weeks.

Researchers will compare sexual and reproductive health knowledge and behaviors one year after study enrollment to see if the STEPS2 curriculum is effective at increasing knowledge and healthy behaviors.