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. 2020 Oct 6;4(10):e22485. doi: 10.2196/22485

Table 2.

Mapping Afiya core elements to texting categories.

Afiya core elements Primary intervention activities Associated text category or example

  • Ethnic and gender pride

  • Role models

  • Poems and affirmations

  • Media images

  • Role models

 Poems and affirmations (motivational message): “It is where you are headed not where you are from that will determine where you end up (Marion Wright Edelman)”

  • Sexual health

  • Decision making

  • Goal setting

  • Values

  • Sexual health options (condoms, abstinence)

 Sexual health choices (vote poll):
Question: What is ur sexual health choice?

  • Abstinence

  • Condoms

  • Neither

  • Not sexually active


Automated responses:

  • Abstinence is the 100% way 2 protect against STDsa/HIV. Remember 2 talk with ur partner abt ur sexual health choice

  • Remember 2 use condoms each & every time u have sex. Talk with ur partner abt ur sexual health choice before u have sex

  • Abstinence is 100% STDa protection. Condoms protect u from STD if u use them each&every time. Consider 1 of these options

  • If u decide 2 have sex, condoms protect from STDs if used each & every time. Talk with ur partner abt ur choice

  • HIV/STD knowledge

  • Facts about STDs

  • Testing

  • OPRaH

  • Condom do’s and don’ts

 STD testing (cues to action):
Question: When do u need an STD test?

  • Partner has STD

  • Had sex-no condom

  • New partner

  • All of the above


Automated responses for (A)-(D): Get tested when new partner, STD symptoms, sex no condom, ur partner has STD. Planned parenthood MTW&Fb 8-4:30pm; xxx-xxx-xxxx

  • Healthy and unhealthy relationships

  • Personal risk factors

  • Understanding risks

  • What turns you on?

  • Boundary setting

  • Peacefully breaking up

 Boundary setting (cues to action):
Question: Y is it important 2 know ur sexual health boundaries?

  • 2 help stick 2 ur limits

  • 2 communicate them to ur BF

  • A & B


Automated responses:

  • One that’s a start! Stick 2 ur limits. Its okay 2 say what ur comfortable doing & what u don’t want 2 do

  • That’s a start! Telling ur partner what ur boundaries r is important so he doesn’t make u uncomfortable or cross the line

  • Exactly! U want 2 b comfortable & happy in ur relationship. Communicating ur boundaries 2 ur bf is healthy

  • Negotiating safe sex

  • Healthy communication

  • Sexnarios: negotiation skills

  • Condom excuses and comebacks

 Communication (cues to action):
Question: What type of communicator are u in ur relationship?

  • Aggressive

  • Passive

  • Assertive


Automated responses:

  • If u r aggressive, do 1-2 assertive things. Avoid yelling & threatening. B direct & honest. C how he responds.

  • Passive If ur passive, do 1-2 assertive things next time. Avoid the silent treatment. B direct & honest. C how he responds.

  • Great! Continue 2 b assertive when u talk 2 ur partner, even when it gets hard. Be direct & honest. C how he responds

aSTD: sexually transmitted disease.

bMTW&F: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.