Social Media Platforms Effective in Promoting Sexual Health Interventions

Research conducted by the University of Michigan has found that social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, are effective in promoting sexual health interventions and disseminating reproductive health education. However, there is a lack of research on the impact and reach of these platforms as a community-based tool for disseminating sexual health information among Black adolescents and young adults, a targeted high-risk population. The study aimed to determine the social media platforms and banner advertisements that affect engagement among Black male adolescents and young adults in participating in web-based health surveys.

Key Takeaways:

• Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, have been effective in promoting sexual health interventions and disseminating reproductive health education.
• A web-based survey of 170 Black male adolescents and young adults aged 18-24 found that referral (e.g., group chat, indirect social media sharing) led to the greatest proportion of recruitment.
• Twitter and YouTube were the preferred sites to receive sexual health information, and social media advertisements on the Black Male Opinion survey reached approximately 146,412 individuals.
• The study suggests that recognizing the variety of technologies used among Black male young adults and adolescents can help the community, researchers, and health care providers understand web-based engagement of this high-risk population.
• The study's findings may promote culturally sensitive, customized marketing on sexual health information for this population.
• The study highlights the importance of using social media platforms effectively to promote sexual health interventions and reach high-risk populations.

Statistics:

• 170 Black male adolescents and young adults aged 18-24 participated in the web-based survey.
• Social media advertisements on the Black Male Opinion survey reached approximately 146,412 individuals.
• Twitter and YouTube were the preferred sites to receive sexual health information.

Sources:

• Evaluation of the Sexual Health Behaviors of Black Male Adolescents and Young Adults Through Social Media Platforms: Web-Based Survey Study. Jmir Public Health and Surveillance, 2020;6(3):e19219.
• University of Michigan, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education.