The effectiveness of Facebook as a social network intervention to increase physical activity in Chinese young adults

Utilization of Social Media for the Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS: A Scoping Review

Social media has been used widely in public health for understanding health risks and intervening to improve health. However, the utilization of social media for HIV prevention and control interventions has not been clearly characterized. We conducted a scoping review on the utilization of social media for HIV prevention and control to identify gaps in the literature and highlight opportunities for future research and intervention. A comprehensive search of seven databases was performed: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL Complete (EBSCO), PsycInfo (EBSCO), Scopus, and WOS (Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was used as a framework. A total of 790 articles were screened at the title and abstract level, and 78 were screened at the full-text level. Twenty-three articles met the eligibility criteria for review. We found that Facebook was still the most common social media service used to reach target populations. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals were the primary groups and were the most common targets of social media-based HIV prevention interventions. Outcomes of social media-based interventions, such as increased HIV testing, social networking and social support, condom use attitudes, behavioral skills, and research participation, were reported. Most social media-based interventions have emphasized HIV prevention, with fewer interventions focused on improving linkage to care and adherence to treatment among people living with HIV. Future studies may benefit from using social media for interventions to improve HIV-related outcomes in high-risk populations. This review highlights the potential and challenges of social media approaches for HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

Adoption, acceptability and sustained use of digital interventions to promote physical activity among inactive adults: a mixed-method study

Introduction

Despite the positive effects of physical activity (PA) to prevent lifestyle diseases and improve health and well-being, only one-third of Norwegian adults meet the minimum recommendations on PA. Digital interventions to promote PA in inactive adults may improve health and well-being by being available, personalized and adequate. Knowledge on users' adoption, acceptability and sustainability of digital interventions to promote PA is still limited.

Objective

To investigate the adoption, acceptability and sustained use of three digital interventions for promoting PA among inactive adults.

Design

A randomized control trial (ONWARDS) with 183 participants assigned to 3 groups and followed up for 18 months. All participants received a wearable activity tracker with the personalized metric Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI) on a mobile app, two groups received additional access to online training and one group had also access to online social support.

Methods

A mixed-methods approach was used to address the study objective. Acceptability was evaluated through the System Usability Scale (SUS) (n = 134) at 6 months. Adoption and sustained use were evaluated through a set of questions administered at 12 months (n = 109). Individual interviews were performed at 6 months with a sample of participants (n = 18). Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative data were analyzed using the Framework approach.

Results

PAI was the most successful intervention, with satisfactory usability and positive effects on motivation and behavior change, contributing to high adoption and sustained use. Online social support had a high acceptability and sustained use, but the intervention was not perceived as motivational to increase PA. Online training had low adoption, usability and sustained use. The qualitative interviews identified five main themes: (1) overall approach to physical activity, (2) motivation, (3) barriers to perform PA, (4) effects of PA, and (5) usability and acceptability of the digital interventions.

Conclusion

Personalized digital interventions integrating behavior change techniques such as individual feedback and goal setting are more likely to increase acceptability, adoption and sustained use. Future studies should investigate which digital interventions or combinations of different interventions are more successful in promoting PA among inactive adults according to the characteristics and preferences of the users.

Trial registration

Clinical trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04526444.

How active social network site use affects green consumption: A moderated mediation model

A growing body of literature suggests a link between the usage of social networking sites (SNSs) and green consumption. However, researchers have shown that not all types of SNS usage have the same effect on individuals; therefore, to fully understand the relationship between a particular SNS use type and green consumption, as well as the mechanisms underlying the relationship, more research is required. This study examined a moderated mediation model based on self-awareness theory to explain the “how” and “why” of the relationship between active SNS use and green consumption. An offline survey (N = 210) and an online survey (N = 348) were conducted. The results suggest that active SNS use is positively associated with green consumption via public self-awareness and that impression management motives moderate the mediating role of public self-awareness in the relationship between active SNS use and green consumption. By examining the connection between a specific type of SNS use (active SNS use) and green consumption, our study adds to the body of literature on the causes of green consumption. The results have substantial implications for future research promoting socially responsible consumption behavior.

Neighborhood Built and Social Environment Influences on Lifestyle Behaviors among College Students in a High-Density City: A Photovoice Study

Based on the social ecological approach, a photovoice study was conducted to explore how neighborhood built and social environments facilitate or hinder college students' lifestyle behaviors, including physical activity, active transportation, and dietary behavior. A total of 37 college students took photos about neighborhood built and social environments that may affect their physical activity, dietary behavior, and active transportation, and shared their perceptions about how neighborhood built and social environments influence their lifestyle behaviors. Our findings demonstrated that the availability and accessibility of services, school facilities, and home facilities affected physical activity and dietary behaviors among college students. Moreover, the well-developed transportation facilities and networks benefit college students' active transportation. Environments-based interventions are recommended in future research to better understand the associations between neighborhood built and social environments and lifestyle behaviors in college students.