CYOA games are perceived to be effective educational tools for sexual health, especially when they incorporate culturally appropriate content, fostering open discussions and understanding among immigrant and refugee youths.
Key Findings
Results
Immigrant and refugee youth described the CYOA game as an accessible and engaging way to explore sensitive sexual health topics.
32 immigrant and refugee youth aged 18-25 participated in the study
Participants accessed the game via smartphones and desktop devices
The game was described as providing a discreet and safe environment for learning and discussion
A qualitative exploratory design using semi-structured interviews was employed
Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze participant experiences
Results
Cultural and religious backgrounds influenced participants' comfort levels with the CYOA game's sexual health content.
Culturally sensitive content was particularly valued by participants
Non-judgmental delivery of content was also specifically highlighted as important
The study population consisted of immigrant and refugee youth who often face cultural and language barriers
Cultural background was identified as a factor shaping how participants engaged with the material
Results
Participants reported that school-based sexual health education was often insufficient, while community programs provided more relevant support.
School-based sexual health education was characterized as often insufficient by participants
Community programs were perceived as offering more relevant support compared to school-based education
This finding emerged from semi-structured interviews with 32 participants
The comparison highlights gaps in formal education settings for this population
Results
The CYOA game was perceived to foster open discussions about dating, sex, and sexual health among immigrant and refugee youth.
The game format facilitated discussion of topics including dating, sex, and sexual health
Participants perceived the game as effective in promoting understanding of these sensitive subjects
The 'choose your own adventure' format allowed interactive engagement with the content
Participants noted the game supported open discussion, suggesting potential for peer-level communication about sexual health
Results
Culturally appropriate content in CYOA games was identified as a key factor in their perceived effectiveness for sexual health education.
Findings highlight the need for culturally relevant resources to support traditional approaches to promoting sexual health
The study specifically targeted a population facing cultural and language barriers to sexual health information
Culturally appropriate content was described as enhancing the educational value of the game
Results suggest CYOA games should incorporate culturally appropriate content to be maximally effective
What This Means
This research suggests that interactive 'choose your own adventure' (CYOA) video games can be an effective way to teach young immigrants and refugees about sexual health. The study interviewed 32 people aged 18-25 who played a CYOA game on their phones or computers and found that participants appreciated how the game let them explore sensitive topics like dating and sex privately, without judgment, and at their own pace. Many participants also reported that the sexual health education they received in school was inadequate, while community-based programs felt more relevant to their lives.
The research also found that participants' cultural and religious backgrounds shaped how comfortable they felt with the content, and that games incorporating culturally sensitive material were especially valued. This suggests that one-size-fits-all sexual health education may not work well for immigrant and refugee communities, who may face unique language and cultural barriers to accessing this information. Interactive games that are tailored to reflect participants' cultural contexts appear to be a promising way to fill these gaps.
This study matters because immigrant and refugee youth are often underserved by traditional sexual health education programs. The findings suggest that interactive digital tools like CYOA games could complement existing approaches to sexual health promotion by providing engaging, private, and culturally relevant information. However, as this was a small qualitative study focused on perceived effectiveness rather than measured health outcomes, further research would be needed to understand whether these tools lead to actual changes in sexual health knowledge or behavior.
Aidoo-Frimpong G, Adekunle T, Thomas S, Asfaw S, Durado A, Williams E, et al.. (2025). Playing for understanding: The impact of interactive gaming on young adults' sexual health education.. Public health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2025.02.022