Can social media be harnessed to increase HIV testing rates? With so many people increasingly accessing social media platforms, is there potential for them to be used to improve outcomes in HIV and for wider utilisation in the context of the HIV epidemic? A study recently published in The Lancet looked at a social media based intervention called HOPE (Harnessing Online Peer Education) which used small closed Facebook groups (about 40 members each) to act as prevention mentors. The study found that the MSMs randomised to the HOPE intervention arm were nearly three times more likely to test than the standard prevention control group. These findings are important and encouraging. In low- and middle-income countries, technology is becoming more affordable and more widely available. This provides a platform to communicate health messages, develop Apps that support diagnosis and management of chronic diseases and aid in issues such as linkage to and retention in care. This has direct relevance to the healthcare sector in SA, not only in the HIV and TB field, but also in our next public health threat, non-communicable diseases. What are YOUR thoughts on social media and mobile technology in health care?
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 08:22:12 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015