Dissemination Strategies From an HIV Self-Testing Intervention Among Adolescents and Young Adults in Nigeria: Crowdsourcing Open Call Study
JMIR Formative Research
Authors: Ucheoma Nwaozuru, Oluwakorede Adedeji, Yusuf Babatunde, Chisom Obiezu-Umeh, Lanre Blessing, Titilola Gbaja-Biamila, Folahanmi Akinsolu, Gift Mirikwe, Thembekile Shato, Cassandra Akinde, Samantha Wu, J. Clark, Temitope Ojo, Olufunto Olusanya, Oliver Ezechi, Joseph D. Tucker, Juliet Iwelunmor
This study examined how adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in Nigeria believe HIV research findings should be shared with young people. The researchers used a crowdsourcing open call to generate creative, youth-driven dissemination strategies for findings and products from the 4 Youth by Youth (4YBY) HIV self-testing intervention. The three-week open call invited Nigerian AYAs to submit ideas through digital and in-person channels.
Using inductive thematic content analysis, the researchers identified six major approaches to disseminating HIV research to AYAs. Digital platforms—including social media, websites, podcasts, blogs, and mobile applications—were the most frequently proposed strategy. Participants also recommended artistic and visual communication, such as murals, comics, posters, and infographics; community engagement activities, including workshops, school-based programs, and outreach campaigns; performance arts such as concerts, poetry, dance, and fashion; storytelling through drama, theater, films, and personal narratives; and interactive or gamified approaches, including mobile and board games. Most participants also emphasized collaboration with schools and community leaders.
The findings demonstrate that crowdsourcing can effectively engage young people in developing locally relevant and innovative strategies for communicating HIV research. The study highlights the importance of moving beyond traditional academic publications to make research findings more accessible, engaging, culturally relevant, and responsive to the preferences of young people. Future research should evaluate the reach, acceptability, cost, and public health impact of these youth-generated dissemination strategies.