African American Adolescents and Young Adults, New Media, and Sexual Health: Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: Rates of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies are disproportionately high among African American adolescents and young adults (AYA). New media platforms such as social networking sites, microblogs, online video sites, and mobile phone applications may be a promising approach in promoting safe sex and preventing sexually transmitted infections.

Objective: The purpose of this scoping review was to address promising approaches in new media that may serve as valuable tools in health promotion, prevention, education, and intervention development aimed at African American AYA.

Methods: An electronic search was conducted using Google Scholar, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINHAL), and PubMed online databases. Concept blocks and MeSH terminology were used to identify articles around African American youth and new media.

Results: The search yielded 1169 articles, and 16 publications met the criteria. Studies from the review found themes in new media that included feasibility, changing attitudes, and improving knowledge related to sexual health behavior among youth of color.

Conclusions: New media is a promising and feasible platform for improving the sexual health of African American AYA. Further research is suggested to better understand the benefits of new media as a sexual health promotion tool among this specific population.

Keywords: African American; adolescent; internet; new media; safe sex; sexual behavior; sexually transmitted infections; social media; technology; young adult.

Figure 1

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) diagram.