Effectiveness, Acceptability, and Feasibility of Digital Health Interventions for LGBTIQ+ Young People: Systematic Review

Abstract

Background Young people (aged 12-25 years) with diverse sexuality, gender, or bodily characteristics, such as those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, or queer (LGBTIQ+), are at substantially greater risk of a range of mental, physical, and sexual health difficulties compared with their peers. Digital health interventions have been identified as a potential way to reduce these health disparities. Objective This review aims to summarize the characteristics of existing evidence-based digital health interventions for LGBTIQ+ young people and to describe the evidence for their effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted using internet databases and gray literature sources, and the results were screened for inclusion. The included studies were synthesized qualitatively. Results The search identified 38 studies of 24 unique interventions seeking to address mental, physical, or sexual health–related concerns in LGBTIQ+ young people. Substantially more evidence-based interventions existed for gay and bisexual men than for any other population group, and there were more interventions related to risk reduction of sexually transmitted infections than to any other health concern. There was some evidence for the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of these interventions overall; however, the quality of evidence is often lacking. Conclusions There is sufficient evidence to suggest that targeted digital health interventions are an important focus for future research aimed at addressing health difficulties in LGBTIQ+ young people. Additional digital health interventions are needed for a wider range of health difficulties, particularly in terms of mental and physical health concerns, as well as more targeted interventions for same gender–attracted women, trans and gender-diverse people, and people with intersex variations. Trial Registration PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42020128164; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=128164

mHealth Strategies Related to HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis Knowledge and Access: Systematic Literature Review, Technology Prospecting of Patent Databases, and Systematic Search on App Stores

“…Evidence from a systematic review shows how lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer + youth showed good adherence to tools tailored specifically for them. Digital health interventions have the potential to improve health disparities in this population, which in turn, would impact HIV transmission and prevention [19]. mHealth services offered to the public can help reach a larger population.…”

A systematic review of the engagement with social media–delivered interventions for improving health outcomes among sexual and gender minorities

“…The frequently chronic trajectory of the physical and mental health conditions SGM persons face makes them potentially amenable to behavioral intervention programs that seek to boost protective factors, reduce risk factors, manage symptoms, or improve treatment adherence. Indeed, digital technology delivered interventions (e.g., via apps, web-based, social media) are widely acceptable among SGM persons ( Gilbey et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Despite the increasing number of digital health interventions focused on improving health outcomes among SGM people ( Gilbey et al, 2020 ), there is a lack of reviews summarizing whether and how researchers assess this construct. Given the ongoing conversation on building consensus in the area of engagement with digital health interventions, we propose to expand previous research ( Gilbey et al, 2020 ), and the need to expand access to health services to hidden populations such as SGM persons ( Kates et al, 2018 ), we propose to put a specific focus on summarizing the literature in the field of engagement with social media–delivered health interventions for SGM people.…”

“…Despite the increasing number of digital health interventions focused on improving health outcomes among SGM people ( Gilbey et al, 2020 ), there is a lack of reviews summarizing whether and how researchers assess this construct. Given the ongoing conversation on building consensus in the area of engagement with digital health interventions, we propose to expand previous research ( Gilbey et al, 2020 ), and the need to expand access to health services to hidden populations such as SGM persons ( Kates et al, 2018 ), we propose to put a specific focus on summarizing the literature in the field of engagement with social media–delivered health interventions for SGM people. Therefore, the objectives of this review were to (1) identify all peer-reviewed published articles that assessed engagement with social media–delivered health intervention for SGM persons, describing study characteristics and quality of study reporting; and (2) describe whether and how engagement metrics were operationalized across studies using the proposed dimensions of micro and macro level engagement.…”

Experiences and Perceptions of Trans and Gender Non-Binary People Regarding Their Psychosocial Support Needs: A Systematic Review of the Qualitative Research Evidence

“…These are seen as adjuncts to face-to-face services and include the use of web-based (e-health) of mobile (m-health) mental health interventions. Online activities and supports may address stigma, isolation, mental health issues and social concerns such as living in remote or rural communities thus promoting social inclusion [ 21 , 22 ]. Despite the disproportionately high mental health risks associated with minority stressors, trans and non-binary people can and do develop resilient traits that buffer against the negative effects of adverse experiences.…”