Effectiveness of social network site-based interventions promoting condom use among youth: A systematic review based...

This study aimed to systematically review existing interventions delivered via social network sites (SNS) to promote condom use among youth.

Studies that evaluated SNS-based interventions targeting condom use and/or its psychosocial determinants among youth (12-24y) were searched. Intervention effectiveness was defined as percentage of comparisons (e.g., across different follow-up times or between different groups) showing significant improvements in condom use or determinants, out of total number of possible comparisons within each study. Using Intervention Mapping, determinants clusters targeted by each intervention, the behavioral change methods (BCMs) employed, and theoretical match between the targeted determinants and applied BCMs were inferred.

Fifteen studies were included. Median intervention effectiveness score was 33.3 % (IQR: 16.65,75 %) for condom use (n = 9) and 50 % (IQR: 0,100 %) for psychosocial determinants of condom use (n = 11). SNS-based interventions grounded in behavioral theory had a higher median effectiveness score when promoting condom use (50 % vs 33.3 %), but not when influencing its determinants (50 % vs 50 %). Two clusters of targeted determinants were identified: Attitude/Outcome Expectation/Risk Perception (n = 8) and Skills/Self-efficacy (n = 9), along with 25 distinct BCMs.

While inconsistent reporting across studies limited identification of effective components, findings underline the importance of grounding interventions in behavioral theories.