A snapshot of the presence of HIV-related features in MSM social media dating apps in New Zealand

The men who have sex with men (MSM) social media dating apps have emerged as a new channel for HIV prevention and education. However, there is a lack of clarity regarding the availability of specific HIV-related features on these apps, making it uncertain what features related to HIV are offered. This study provided a comprehensive overview of the existing HIV-related features of MSM social media dating apps in New Zealand by screening 39 apps, selected from a total of 1296 search results obtained from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The HIV-related features within these apps were categorized into 10 groups, including safety practices, HIV status, tribe Poz, where to get tested, last tested, test reminder, HIV/Sexual health information center, link to an outside organization, getting support from health practitioners, and search filters for HIV status, safety practice and tribe Poz, totaling 12 features. Results demonstrated that only about one-third of the apps contained HIV-related information but this ratio significantly increased during the last decade, suggesting a trend of normalization in incorporating such information in the apps. The safety practices and HIV status were identified as the two features most frequently incorporated into these apps and the underlying mechanisms were analyzed using the political economy of communication theory and the uses and gratifications theory. Overall, this study contributed to helping the stakeholders such as app developers, public health agencies, health practitioners and policymakers to make evidence-based decisions to incorporate and promote HIV prevention-related initiatives within the digital realm.