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Kesten JM, Dias K, Burns F, Crook P, Howarth A, Mercer CH, Rodger A, Simms I, Oliver I, Hickman M, Hughes G, Weatherburn P. Acceptability and potential impact of delivering sexual health promotion information through social media and dating apps to MSM in England: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:1236. [PMID: 31492120 PMCID: PMC6728978 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7558-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
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. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-7558-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna M Kesten
- The National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit on Evaluation of Interventions, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. .,The National Institute for Heatlh Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care West (NIHR CLAHRC West) at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK. .,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK.
| | - Kaiseree Dias
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Fiona Burns
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK.,Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Pond St, Hampstead, London, NW3 2QG, UK
| | - Paul Crook
- Field Service, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK.,National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Alison Howarth
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Catherine H Mercer
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK.,The National Institute for Health Research HPRU in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alison Rodger
- The National Institute for Health Research HPRU in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ian Simms
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Isabel Oliver
- The National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit on Evaluation of Interventions, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Field Service, National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK.,National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK
| | - Matthew Hickman
- The National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit on Evaluation of Interventions, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Gwenda Hughes
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, UK.,The National Institute for Health Research HPRU in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections, University College London, London, UK
| | - Peter Weatherburn
- The National Institute for Health Research HPRU in Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections, University College London, London, UK.,Sigma Research, Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
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