Journal article

The use of social networking platforms for sexual health promotion: identifying key strategies for successful user engagement

Hilary J Veale, Rachel Sacks-Davis, Emma RN Weaver, Alisa E Pedrana, Mark A Stoove, Margaret E Hellard

BMC PUBLIC HEALTH | BMC | Published : 2015

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Online social networking platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have grown rapidly in popularity, with opportunities for interaction enhancing their health promotion potential. Such platforms are being used for sexual health promotion but with varying success in reaching and engaging users. We aimed to identify Facebook and Twitter profiles that were able to engage large numbers of users, and to identify strategies used to successfully attract and engage users in sexual health promotion on these platforms. METHODS: We identified active Facebook (n = 60) and Twitter (n = 40) profiles undertaking sexual health promotion through a previous systematic review, and assessed profile act..

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Grants

Funding Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge EmpowHer, UNAIDS, and AIDS Healthcare Foundation for sharing their valuable insights and thoughtful responses to our online survey. Rachel Sacks-Davis receives funding from the Australian Government through a NHMRC Public Health Postgraduate Scholarship and receives additional funding through the NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence into Injecting Drug Use (CREIDU). Alisa Pedrana receives funding from the Australia Government through a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Early Career Fellowship. Mark Stoove receives funding through the NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence into Injecting Drug Use (CREIDU). Margaret Hellard receives funding from the NHMRC as a senior research fellow. This study received no external funding. The authors gratefully acknowledge the Victorian Operational Infrastructure Support Program funding received by the Burnet Institute.