IknowUshould2: Feasibility of a Youth-Driven Social Media Campaign to Promote STI and HIV Testing Among Adolescents in Philadelphia

AIDS Behav. 2015 Jun;19 Suppl 2(0 2):106-11. doi: 10.1007/s10461-014-0991-9.

Abstract

A youth-driven, social media-based campaign aimed at improving knowledge about and increasing testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/HIV among youth 13-17 years old was assessed by: tracking website/social media use throughout the campaign; online survey of knowledge of and attitudes towards STI testing 9 months after campaign launch; and comparing rates of STI testing at affiliated family planning clinics during the 1 year period immediately prior versus 1 year immediately after campaign launch. Over 1,500 youth were reached via social media. Survey results showed 46 % of youth had never been tested, but 70 % intended to test in the next 6 months. While the total number of GC/CT tests conducted and positive results were not significantly different pre- and post-campaign, there was a large increase in the proportion of visits at which Syphilis (5.4 vs. 18.8 %; p < 0.01) and HIV (5.4 vs. 19.0 %; p < 0.01) testing was conducted post-campaign launch. Future campaigns should incorporate lessons learned about engaging younger adolescents, social media strategies, and specific barriers to testing in this age group.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Philadelphia
  • Program Evaluation
  • Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / diagnosis
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Social Media / statistics & numerical data*