SWAP Fact Sheet
SWAP is an online database containing over 175 locally developed, educational
and promotional materials focusing on STD/HIV and related issues. The site
contains a collection of fact sheets, posters, palm cards, presentations and
PSAs. All materials are free, downloadable and reviewed for medical accuracy.
The search function is user friendly and categorizes materials by publication
type, audience, specific disease, language and other key words. The site is a
service of the California Department of Public Health, STD Control Branch.
Purpose: SWAP provides STD promotional and educational products specifically for
those in the field. The majority of the promotional products are targeted directly for the
consumer while there are a few for providers. The site offers timely information and
features locally developed materials. The resource is cost effective and particularly
useful in financially restricted times.
Location: SWAP is located at WWW.STDHIVTRAINING.ORG/SWAP
How it works: The SWAP site is made up of three main pages: the homepage, the
search page, and a monthly feature page. The database is organized by the following
categories: audience, publication type, language and additional key words. New
materials are accepted continuously via an electronic submission procedure. All
materials are reviewed and checked for medical accuracy. No materials are endorsed.
Who uses it and how often: From September 2007 through mid-Feb (date of data
gathering), 2010, SWAP elicited #15,154 unique pageviews and #38,673 downloads.
(However, this is the number of times materials were opened and viewed/listened to. It
is not possible to gather statistics on how many times materials are printed.) This
number has grown consistently over time: in the past 12 months SWAP averaged over
650 unique pageviews (visitors) a month.
A major user of the SWAP site is the STD Community Intervention Program (SCIP). The
monthly feature (see below) is distributed to the regional SCIP coordinators who
distribute the feature link to their community partners. In a recent survey, 13.5% of the
community agencies that responded to a SCIP survey acknowledged that they used
SWAP. A separate survey of SWAP users was conducted with limited, but positive
responses. The survey was taken by a mixture of local and state community based
organizations in California, as well as twelve other US states and three other nations.
37% of the respondents downloaded SWAP materials and 13% customized downloaded
materials for their own community. More than 60% of the respondents reported that the
materials and search functions met or exceeded their expectations and found the site
visually pleasing.
How SWAP is marketed
Bookmarks have been printed and distributed at trainings and other events over
the last three years
Announcements describing and linking to SWAP have been included in training
documents and appropriate reports
Since, April 2008, SWAP has posted a monthly feature providing information on
an HIV/STD-focused locally developed social marketing campaign, or a specific
health topic with resources to increase community awareness. The SWAP
feature, characteristically timely and short, assists providers in meeting their
health awareness needs and preparing for events such as STD Awareness
Month and Binational Health Month. The monthly feature announcement is
electronically distributed and simultaneously promotes other SWAP resources.
The mailing list is constantly growing and forwarding of the message is
encouraged. Of those who responded to the SWAP survey, 2.6% forward the
SWAP e-mail link to another agency. The STD Control Branch presently sends
the message to approximately 1400 e-addresses.
Additional electronic products developed by the
STD Control Branch
STD Overview for Non-Clinicians Online Course
http://www.stdhivtraining.org/online_course_info.html?id=10
Youth Social Marketing Toolkit (YSMT)
http://www.stdhivtraining.org/ysmt_home.html
Adolescent Sexual Health Working Group (ASHWG)-HR Guide for Core
Competencies, Integrated data tables
http://www.californiateenhealth.org/download/ASHWG_Integrated_Data_Tables.pdf
http://www.californiateenhealth.org/CC_registration.php
Update of STD 101 for Teens – Spanish version with video/audio by youth
http://www.stdhivtraining.org/material_swap.html
Making the Connection Between HIV and STDs Lesson Plans 2nd Edition w/
health inequities activity http://www.stdhivtraining.org/material_swap.html
JL/2010
joyce.lisbin@cdph.ca.gov