Investigating Sociodemographic Factors and HIV Risk Behaviors Associated With Social Networking Among Adolescents in Soweto, South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Survey.
BACKGROUND
Internet access via mobile phones and computers facilitates interaction and potential health communication among individuals through social networking. Many South African adolescents own mobile phones and can access social networks via apps.


OBJECTIVE
We investigated sociodemographic factors and HIV risk behaviors of adolescent social networking users in Soweto, South Africa.


METHODS
We conducted an interviewer-administered, cross-sectional survey of adolescents aged 14-19 years. Independent covariates of social networking were assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Of 830 adolescents, 57% (475/830) were females and the median age was found to be 18 years (interquartile range 17-18). Social networking was used by 60% of adolescents (494/830); more than half, that is, 87% (396/494) accessed social networks through mobile phones and 56% (275/494) spent more than 4 hours per day using their mobile phones. Social networking was independently associated with mobile usage 2-4 hours (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.06, CI: 1.69-5.51) and more than 4 hours per day (AOR: 6.16, CI: 3.46-10.9) and one (AOR: 3.35, CI: 1.79-6.27) or more sexual partner(s) (AOR: 2.58, CI: 1.05-6.36).


CONCLUSIONS
Mobile phone-based social networking is prevalent among sexually active adolescents living in Soweto and may be used as an entry point for health promotion and initiation of low-cost adolescent health interventions.
Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. dietrichj@phru.co.za.
Janan Janine
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1949-3138
JJ
Dietrich
Fatima
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5231-9951
F
Laher
Stefanie
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5505-6488
S
Hornschuh
Busisiwe
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7435-6646
B
Nkala
Lucy
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0083-8319
L
Chimoyi
Kennedy
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7433-4383
K
Otwombe
Angela
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0329-1926
A
Kaida
Glenda Elisabeth
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9510-5774
GE
Gray
Cari
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0601-2144
C
Miller
HIV; South Africa; adolescent health; health; mhealth; mobile phone; social networking
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