African Americans living in the Southeastern region of the United States disproportionately contract sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Facebook and other social media sites are becoming a way to deliver health-related messaging to targeted populations. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional study was to examine the association between selected demographic factors and impact of social media on intent to change sexual behaviors among 112 African Americans between the ages of 18 and 49 in the Southeastern United States who viewed STI/HIV prevention materials on Facebook within 1 year prior to the study. The theory of planned behavior was used to help understand and interpret the findings. Participants completed an online self-report survey containing questions about their exposure to sexual health messages on Facebook and their intent to change behavior. Results of the multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that gender (p =.462), age (p =.122), education (p =.593), and income (p =.200) were not statistically associated with the dependent variable, intent to change risky sexual behaviors. A majority of respondents indicated the intention to change their sexual behaviors as a result of viewing HIV prevention messages on Facebook, and that the messages were the most important factor in their decision to change behavior. Facebook messaging may be an effective platform for reaching African Americans and influencing behavior; however more research is needed to fully understand the use of social media for STI prevention. The social change implication of this research is the potential to decrease HIV/STI associated morbidity and mortality among this population.

Genital human papillomavirus infection is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States, with almost 20 million Americans currently infected and an additional 6.2 million becoming newly infected each year. Women rely strongly on their health care providers to educate and comfort them regarding this distressing diagnosis. This study will use an online, self-completion questionnaire to obtain women’s opinions regarding their health care providers’ performances concerning the initial consultation after learning of their HPV diagnosis. Findings from this study provided insight as to how women prefer receiving information from their health care providers concerning their diagnosis of HPV. In addition, study findings provide suggestions for improving clinical practices regarding HPV consultations in the Tri-cities area of East Tennessee.