Evaluating the impact of media interventions on HIV testing uptake: a systematic review and meta-analysis
1
1 College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
2
2 Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
3
3 University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
4
4 Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
5
5 Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
6
6 University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
7
7 Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Globally, about 5.4 million people living with HIV do not know their status, increasing transmission risks. Media interventions can promote behaviour change, encouraging HIV risk reduction and testing. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness, barriers, and facilitators of media interventions for promoting HIV testing.
METHODS:
Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library for peer-reviewed studies (January 2010 - December 2024) on media interventions for HIV testing promotion. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk-of-bias tools and Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted in R (v4.4.2) to calculate pooled odds ratios. Campaign themes were analyzed qualitatively.
RESULTS:
From 455 citations, 27 studies (28656 participants; 38.3% female) across 16 countries were included. Studies included five randomized controlled trials, 11 quasi-experimental, five cross-sectional, four community trials, three cohort studies, one qualitative, and one mixed methods study. The median campaign duration was 6 months (IQR: 21 months). Channels included web platforms (5 studies), social media (2 studies), radio (2 studies), television (2 studies), video screenings (3 studies), and multimedia (16 studies). Most studies (n=24, 88.9%) reported increased HIV testing rates. Meta-analysis showed significant post-intervention improvements (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.14–1.60). Longer campaigns (>6 months) were significantly more effective than shorter ones (p=0.03). There were no differences by economic index, region, frequency, media type, or number of channels. Key barriers included language challenges, complex content, cultural sensitivity issues, and low emotional engagement. Facilitators included diverse media channels, culturally sensitive messaging, stakeholder involvement, familiar role models, and local language use.
CONCLUSIONS:
Media interventions effectively promote HIV testing, with longer campaign durations yielding better outcomes. To optimize effectiveness, future interventions should integrate identified facilitators into their design.
Globally, about 5.4 million people living with HIV do not know their status, increasing transmission risks. Media interventions can promote behaviour change, encouraging HIV risk reduction and testing. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness, barriers, and facilitators of media interventions for promoting HIV testing.
METHODS:
Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library for peer-reviewed studies (January 2010 - December 2024) on media interventions for HIV testing promotion. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk-of-bias tools and Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted in R (v4.4.2) to calculate pooled odds ratios. Campaign themes were analyzed qualitatively.
RESULTS:
From 455 citations, 27 studies (28656 participants; 38.3% female) across 16 countries were included. Studies included five randomized controlled trials, 11 quasi-experimental, five cross-sectional, four community trials, three cohort studies, one qualitative, and one mixed methods study. The median campaign duration was 6 months (IQR: 21 months). Channels included web platforms (5 studies), social media (2 studies), radio (2 studies), television (2 studies), video screenings (3 studies), and multimedia (16 studies). Most studies (n=24, 88.9%) reported increased HIV testing rates. Meta-analysis showed significant post-intervention improvements (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.14–1.60). Longer campaigns (>6 months) were significantly more effective than shorter ones (p=0.03). There were no differences by economic index, region, frequency, media type, or number of channels. Key barriers included language challenges, complex content, cultural sensitivity issues, and low emotional engagement. Facilitators included diverse media channels, culturally sensitive messaging, stakeholder involvement, familiar role models, and local language use.
CONCLUSIONS:
Media interventions effectively promote HIV testing, with longer campaign durations yielding better outcomes. To optimize effectiveness, future interventions should integrate identified facilitators into their design.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
