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Social Network-Based Interventions to Promote Condom Use: A Systematic Review

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Abstract

Effective sexually transmitted infection (STIs)/HIV prevention programs are urgently needed, but translating evidence-based methods of STI/HIV prevention into sustainable programs has been difficult. Social influences are critical for establishing condom use norms. This study systematically reviewed social network-based interventions focused on condom promotion. Social networks were defined as groups who self-identified prior to the research study. Eleven eligible research studies were identified and included in this review. Only three studies measured biological endpoints and five studies used validated measures of condom use. Among the nine studies with control groups, eight showed significant improvements in at least one measure of condom use. There were large differences in how social network members were identified and involved in the interventions. This systematic review highlights the potential utility of social network-based condom promotion programs. More research is needed to show how these promising studies can be expanded.

Resumen

Intervenciones para promover el uso de preservativos basados en las redes sociales: Una reseña sistemática Se necesita urgentemente programas efectivos para prevenir enfermedades de transmisión sexual y SIDA, pero ha sido difícil traducir métodos basados en evidencia de prevención a programas sostenibles. Influencias sociales son esenciales para establecer el uso de preservativos como una norma social. Esa reseña sistemáticamente examinó intervenciones basados en las redes sociales que se enfocaba en promoción del preservativo. Se definieron las redes sociales como grupos quienes se identificaron ellos mismos antes de estar en la investigación. Se identificaron y se incluyeron once investigaciones que reunieron los requisitos necesarios en esta reseña. Solo tres investigaciones evaluaron finales biológicos y cinco investigaciones usaron medidas validas del uso de preservativo. Entre las nueve investigaciones con grupos de control, ocho enseñaron mejora significante en a lo menos una medida del uso de preservativo. Había diferencias grandes en cómo se identificaron y se involucraron los miembros de las redes sociales en las intervenciones. Esta reseña sistemática demuestra la utilidad potencial de programas para promover el uso de preservativos a través de las redes sociales. Se necesita más investigación para demostrar cómo estas estudias promovedoras pueden desarrollar.

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Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank Professor Carl Latkin for helpful comments on an earlier version of this manuscript. The authors would also like to thank Bonnie Tucker for translating the abstract.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Kaidi Wang

  2. Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 630 W. 168th St., New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Katherine Brown

  3. Guangzhou Birth Cohort Office, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, 9 Jinsui Road, Guangzhou, 510623, China

    Song-Ying Shen

  4. Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, GRJ 504, Boston, 02114, USA

    Joseph Tucker

Authors
  1. Kaidi Wang
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  2. Katherine Brown
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  3. Song-Ying Shen
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  4. Joseph Tucker
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joseph Tucker.

Additional information

Kaidi Wang and Katherine Brown contributed equally to this manuscript.

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Wang, K., Brown, K., Shen, SY. et al. Social Network-Based Interventions to Promote Condom Use: A Systematic Review. AIDS Behav 15, 1298–1308 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-0020-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-0020-1

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