Association between exposure to social media and knowledge of sexual and reproductive health among adolescent girls: evidence from the UDAYA survey in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, India



Saha, Ria, Paul, Pintu, Yaya, Sanni and Banke-Thomas, Aduragbemi ORCID: 0000-0002-4449-0131
(2022) Association between exposure to social media and knowledge of sexual and reproductive health among adolescent girls: evidence from the UDAYA survey in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, India. REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, 19 (1). 178-.

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Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Poor sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes amongst adolescent girls in India have been associated with inadequate knowledge of SRH. Evidence suggests that social media can promote health-seeking behaviors. Our objective in this study was to determine the association between exposure to social media and SRH knowledge among adolescent girls in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, India.<h4>Methods</h4>A cross-sectional study was conducted with 10,425 adolescent girls from the UDAYA survey (wave-2, 2018-19). Girls' exposure to social media was the key predictor, and SRH knowledge of sexual intercourse and pregnancy, contraceptive methods, and HIV/AIDS were outcomes of interest. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to assess the association between exposure to social media and knowledge of SRH among adolescent girls.<h4>Results</h4>Of the study participants (n = 10,425), 28.0% (n = 3,160) had exposure to social media. Overall, 8.7%, 11.4%, and 6.6% of respondents had sufficient knowledge of sexual intercourse and pregnancy, contraceptive methods, and HIV/AIDS, respectively. Exposure to social media was associated with increased odds of knowledge of sexual intercourse and pregnancy (Odds ratio [OR]: 1.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18, 1.61), contraceptive methods (OR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.27, 1.67), and HIV/AIDS (OR: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.84, 2.58).<h4>Conclusions</h4>Our study shows the potency of exposure to social media in influencing SRH knowledge, which exclusively benefits female adolescents who are educated, residing in urban areas, and from wealthier families. Digital media-focused interventions inclusive of socio-cultural contexts (e.g., strategic investment in education and creating economic opportunities) are crucial to optimize social media's impact on SRH knowledge enhancements.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Adolescents, Adolescent health, Sexual and reproductive health, Social media, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, India
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 31 Aug 2022 09:37
Last Modified: 09 Mar 2023 04:50
DOI: 10.1186/s12978-022-01487-7
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3162932