TY - JOUR
T1 - Acceptability and potential impact of delivering sexual health promotion information through social media and dating apps to MSM in England
T2 - A qualitative study
AU - Kesten, Joanna M.
AU - Dias, Kaiseree
AU - Burns, Fiona
AU - Crook, Paul
AU - Howarth, Alison
AU - Mercer, Catherine H.
AU - Rodger, Alison
AU - Simms, Ian
AU - Oliver, Isabel
AU - Hickman, Matthew
AU - Hughes, Gwenda
AU - Weatherburn, Peter
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 The Author(s).
PY - 2019/9/6
Y1 - 2019/9/6
N2 - Background: Increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) in England is a pressing public health concern. Interventions targeting MSM, including information provision that effectively promotes sexual health, are needed. To support such intervention development, it is necessary to understand acceptable ways of delivering sexual health information. We explored the acceptability and potential uses and impacts of delivering sexual health information to MSM through social media and geosocial networking apps or dating apps. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in person or by telephone with 25 MSM resident in England recruited via dating apps and social media advertisements. Interviews explored sexual health information sources, perceptions and uses. Attitudes towards sexual health promotion through social media and dating apps were then discussed. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Sexual health information delivery through social media and dating apps was considered acceptable. Receiving information when browsing social media was viewed positively by most, as people have time to absorb information. In contrast, concerns were expressed that sharing or commenting on social media sexual health information may lead to judgements and discrimination. While social media reaches a high proportion of the population, dating apps can easily target MSM. However, tensions exist between the ability to provide information at an opportune time through dating apps, when users are connecting with new sexual partners, with the potential to adversely affect the app user's experience. Hypothetical and actual uses and impacts of sexual health information ranged from no impact to reading information, sharing with peers, and increased awareness, to influencing healthcare-seeking, decision-making and risk-taking behaviours. Ensuring that information is engaging, positive in tone, not too clinical, focused on building social norms and delivered by trusted organisations were viewed as important for supporting its use. Conclusions: Overall, these findings support the development of new interventions that use dating apps and social media for sexual health promotion.
AB - Background: Increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) in England is a pressing public health concern. Interventions targeting MSM, including information provision that effectively promotes sexual health, are needed. To support such intervention development, it is necessary to understand acceptable ways of delivering sexual health information. We explored the acceptability and potential uses and impacts of delivering sexual health information to MSM through social media and geosocial networking apps or dating apps. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in person or by telephone with 25 MSM resident in England recruited via dating apps and social media advertisements. Interviews explored sexual health information sources, perceptions and uses. Attitudes towards sexual health promotion through social media and dating apps were then discussed. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Sexual health information delivery through social media and dating apps was considered acceptable. Receiving information when browsing social media was viewed positively by most, as people have time to absorb information. In contrast, concerns were expressed that sharing or commenting on social media sexual health information may lead to judgements and discrimination. While social media reaches a high proportion of the population, dating apps can easily target MSM. However, tensions exist between the ability to provide information at an opportune time through dating apps, when users are connecting with new sexual partners, with the potential to adversely affect the app user's experience. Hypothetical and actual uses and impacts of sexual health information ranged from no impact to reading information, sharing with peers, and increased awareness, to influencing healthcare-seeking, decision-making and risk-taking behaviours. Ensuring that information is engaging, positive in tone, not too clinical, focused on building social norms and delivered by trusted organisations were viewed as important for supporting its use. Conclusions: Overall, these findings support the development of new interventions that use dating apps and social media for sexual health promotion.
KW - Acceptability
KW - Dating apps
KW - Men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM)
KW - Qualitative research
KW - Sexual health information
KW - Social media
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85071896424&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s12889-019-7558-7
DO - 10.1186/s12889-019-7558-7
M3 - Article
C2 - 31492120
AN - SCOPUS:85071896424
SN - 1471-2458
VL - 19
JO - BMC Public Health
JF - BMC Public Health
IS - 1
M1 - 1236
ER -