Abstract
Online social networking sites offer a novel setting for the delivery of health promotion interventions due to their potential to reach a large population and the possibility for two-way engagement. However, few have attempted to host interventions on these sites, or to use the range of interactive functions available to enhance the delivery of health-related messages. This paper presents lessons learnt from “The FaceSpace Project”, a sexual health promotion intervention using social networking sites targeting two key at-risk groups. Based on our experience, we make recommendations for developing and implementing health promotion interventions on these sites. Elements crucial for developing interventions include establishing a multidisciplinary team, allowing adequate time for obtaining approvals, securing sufficient resources for building and maintaining an online presence, and developing an integrated process and impact evaluation framework. With two-way interaction an important and novel feature of health promotion interventions in this medium, we also present strategies trialled to generate interest and engagement in our intervention. Social networking sites are now an established part of the online environment; our experience in developing and implementing a health promotion intervention using this medium are of direct relevance and utility for all health organizations creating a presence in this new environment.
Highlights
Over the past 20 years the Internet has dramatically changed how individuals access information and communicate
The Internet is increasingly used for health purposes [2]; one survey reported 83% of American Internet users source health information online [3]
Numerous Internet-based health interventions have been developed, with several reviews concluding that such interventions generally have positive effects for a range of behaviours [4,5,6,7]
Summary
Over the past 20 years the Internet has dramatically changed how individuals access information and communicate. The Internet is increasingly used for health purposes [2]; one survey reported 83% of American Internet users source health information online [3]. ‘Web 2.0’ is a relatively recent development that refers to a loose collection of web-based technologies and services that http://www.jmir.org/2012/1/e30/ XSLFO RenderX. 1 | e30 | p.1 (page number not for citation purposes) allow end users to interact and collaborate as content creators, rather than the one-way information flow on relatively static ‘Web 1.0’ websites [8,9,10]. The term ‘social media’ is used interchangeably with Web 2.0 to describe sites and applications that allow information sharing and interactive activities among online communities; examples include blogs, wiki’s, content-sharing sites, virtual worlds and social networking sites [10,11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
