# Native iCHAMPS: An Innovative Online Decision Support System for Increasing Implementation of Effective Sexual Health Education in Tribal Communities

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON · 2020 · $245,955

## Abstract

Native iCHAMPS: An Innovative Online Decision Support System for Increasing
 Implementation of Effective Sexual Health Education in Tribal Communities
ABSTRACT
American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) youth experience serious disparities in sexual and reproductive
health. These disparities may be ameliorated by the implementation of effective sexual health education. Yet,
multiple factors, such as lack of access to culturally-relevant evidence-based interventions (EBIs), limited
trained personnel, cultural barriers, and geographic isolation, hinder the adoption and implementation of
effective sexual health EBIs in tribal communities. The goal of this R21 study is to adapt and assess the
feasibility of an innovative online decision support system (DSS), Native iCHAMPS, as an effective
implementation strategy to facilitate the adoption and implementation of sexual health EBIs in AIAN
communities. We propose to adapt iCHAMPSS (CHoosing And Maintaining Effective Programs for Sex
Education in Schools), a theory-based, online DSS developed by our research team to increase uptake and
implementation of sexual health EBIs in Texas schools. Grounded in dissemination and implementation (D&I)
theories, iCHAMPSS comprises 60+ tools to provide step-by-step guidance to overcome D&I barriers for
sexual health education. Shown to impact critical determinants of EBI adoption and implementation and to
mobilize school personnel to obtain board approval and implement a sexual health EBI, iCHAMPSS serves as
an excellent implementation strategy to adapt for AIAN communities. AIAN stakeholders (n=35) rated
iCHAMPSS as acceptable, easy to use, credible, appealing, and more helpful than current resources for EBI
adoption and implementation in AIAN communities. Yet, because iCHAMPSS was designed specifically for
Texas schools, the underlying DI& processes may not adequately reflect D&I processes in AIAN communities.
Indeed, AIAN stakeholders recommended adaptations to iCHAMPSS to better reflect the needs and values of
tribal communities. Our long-term goal is to reduce teen pregnancy, STI/HIV among AIAN youth by increasing
the adoption, implementation, and maintenance of culturally-relevant sexual health EBIs in AIAN communities.
In this R21 study, we propose to adapt the existing iCHAMPSS conceptual model and DSS to address barriers
and facilitators to the adoption, implementation, and maintenance of sexual health education EBIs in AIAN
communities (Native iCHAMPS), identify strategies to optimize its adoption and implementation, and assess
the feasibility and impact of adopting and implementing Native iCHAMPS among a sample of heterogeneous
and geographically disparate AIAN stakeholders (n=45) across the U.S. The study is innovative as it informs a
culturally relevant, conceptual D&I model for sexual health EBIs in AIAN communities, and translates that
model as a practical cross-platform digital DSS (Native iCHAMPS) to increase D&I capacity in geographically
isolated, lo...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9895376
- **Project number:** 1R21MD013960-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Christine Margaret Markham
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $245,955
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-02-01 → 2021-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9895376

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9895376, Native iCHAMPS: An Innovative Online Decision Support System for Increasing Implementation of Effective Sexual Health Education in Tribal Communities (1R21MD013960-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9895376. Licensed CC0.

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