Understanding HIV prevention needs among young women in Kenya using social media analysis

Use of sentiment analysis in SMS and social media to understand HIV prevention needs among young women in Kenya

NIH-funded research Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10761910

This study is looking at how the feelings expressed in text messages and social media posts can help understand the HIV prevention needs of young women in Kenya, so healthcare providers can create better support and resources for them.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10761910 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how sentiment analysis of SMS and social media messages can reveal the HIV prevention needs of young women in Kenya. By employing natural language processing and text analysis, the study aims to identify and quantify the emotional states and subjective information expressed in these communications. The goal is to develop a tool that can quickly assess HIV risk and prevention needs, making it easier for healthcare providers to tailor interventions. Participants from previous trials have found this approach acceptable, indicating a promising avenue for improving HIV prevention strategies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are young women in Kenya who are at risk for HIV and actively use SMS or social media.

Not a fit: Patients who do not use SMS or social media, or who are not at risk for HIV, may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized HIV prevention strategies for young women in Kenya.

How similar studies have performed: While sentiment analysis has been successfully applied in various fields, its application to HIV risk assessment in Africa is novel and untested.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.