The Use of Social Media in HIV Prevention

The overall aim of this study is to address the lack of awareness of health care professionals working in infection control on social media platforms and social media strategies in HIV prevention. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been considered for a long time as the leading global health issue that affects physical, mental, sexual, and financial well-being. An integrative literature review was conducted with the aim of identifying various social media platforms, exploring social media strategies, and identifying the barriers to using social media in HIV prevention. Data search was performed in October 2021 using three databases. After the database search, there were 3484 potentially relevant articles; 17 of which were selected based on different parameters included in the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Various quality assessment tools were used to ensure the quality of the identified references. The literature review indicates that different government and non-governmental agencies have come up with different strategies to comprehensively address and implement HIV prevention intervention. However, with the limitations of geographic locations, funding, and other resources, health information and interventions seldom reach individuals, who belong to the HIV high-risk group. New technologies such as social media platforms are cost-effective, practical, and easily accessible globally. The reviewed literature included cases where social media platforms and different strategies were used in HIV prevention as a method of ensuring participation, awareness, and engagement. The literature review results show that social media is undoubtedly an effective tool in health promotion. For some, social media platforms could be the next breakthrough in healthcare to maximise its purpose positively. Nonetheless, there are different barriers and challenges in the implementation of social media in HIV prevention. Therefore, it is recommended that continuous innovation combined with clear and structured policies address the challenges. Keywords: social media, social media platforms, HIV prevention, HIV prevention strategie