Implementation Strategies for Digital HIV Prevention and Care Interventions for Youth: A Scoping Review.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Despite the proliferation of evidence-based digital HIV prevention and care interventions for youth globally, their implementation remains suboptimal. This scoping review aimed to identify implementation strategies used to deliver digital HIV interventions to youth.

Recent findings: We reviewed studies published in PubMed between 2018-2024 that described the development or use of implementation strategies for digital HIV interventions for youth. We identified eight studies that reported on implementation strategies and an additional 37 studies that reported on implementation outcomes. The predominant strategy used was identifying and preparing champions, such as peer leaders. Most studies assessed implementation outcomes of acceptability and feasibility, while few evaluated long-term outcomes like cost or sustainability. This review highlights the emerging, under-researched state of implementation science around digital HIV interventions in both the United States and low- and middle-income countries. Further research is needed to develop and test implementation strategies aligned to digital interventions; otherwise, evidence-based digital HIV interventions will remain underused by broader youth populations.