Evaluating Adolescent Young Adult Black Males' Sexual Health through Online Surveys: Social Media Platforms that Succeed in Promoting Research Related Surveys.
BACKGROUND Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, which all have millions of users who interact and communicate every day, have been effective in sexual health interventions and the spread of reproductive health education. They have also been shown to be useful in health promotion and have been used to track several key metrics (e.g. comments and posts) among users of all demographics. However, there is a lack of research on their impact and reach as a community based tool for disseminating sexual health information and increasing engagement among Black adolescents and young adults (AYA) a targeted high risk population. OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study was to determine which social media platforms and banner advertisements affected engagement among AYA Black males when participating in online surveys. METHODS An online survey was conducted from March 2019 to July 2019 to assess sexual health and health behaviors among a convenience sample of adolescent and young adult males (AYA) aged 18 24 (N 170) Social media metrics from Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter were monitored. This cross sectional survey comprised several categories, including basic personal information, drug related risk behaviors, healthcare, sexual reproductive health questions, attitudes, norms, and perceived control, mental health and violence related risk behaviors, and social media preferences. RESULTS Black Male Opinion (BMO) social media advertisements reached approximately 146,412 individuals. Our primary finding for online survey engagement was referral (e.g. group chat, and indirect social media sharing) served as the greatest percentage of recruitment with Twitter and YouTube as preferred sites to receive sexual health information. CONCLUSIONS Black Male Opinion (BMO) social media advertisements reached approximately 146,412 individuals. Our primary finding for online survey engagement was referral (e.g. group chat, and indirect social media sharing) served as the greatest percentage of recruitment with Twitter and YouTube as preferred sites to receive sexual health information. CLINICALTRIAL
JMIR public health and surveillance