Integrating Social Marketing Into Fijian HIV/AIDS Prevention Programs: Lessons From Systematic Review

Health Commun. 2017 Jan;32(1):32-40. doi: 10.1080/10410236.2015.1099500. Epub 2016 May 2.

Abstract

Social marketing techniques have been tested and proven useful within the health sector worldwide. In Fiji, social marketing was introduced in the early 1990s, and more rapidly during the last decade to improve national response to an increasing incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Given the limited amount of research in the area of program evaluation in Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), this study systematically analyzes five Fijian HIV/AIDS prevention programs through Andreasen's benchmark criteria, in order to identify gaps in program design that ultimately impact program effectiveness. Assessment results unveil some interesting trends regarding the focus and applications of past Fijian HIV/AIDS prevention programs in the past decade. This article discusses these findings and other valuable lessons for future HIV/AIDS prevention strategies in Fiji and elsewhere.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / prevention & control
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data
  • Developing Countries
  • Female
  • Fiji / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Communication
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Safe Sex*
  • Social Marketing*
  • Young Adult