New Facebook Application, Developed at College Park, Designed to Education about Publich Health Issue

A new Facebook "button" and quiz, educating about Humanpapilloma Virus (HPV) has been developed out of UMD College Park. Partnership for Prevention and UMCP's Information Studies department spearheaded the project, and SPH's Dr. Nancy Atkinson and doctorate student Denise Bellows assisted in the project.

"Fact Check: HPV" (www.hpvfactcheck.org) was designed to educate, motivate and mobilitze people to stop the spread of the virus. Those who click on the Facebook application are prompted to take an interactive, educational quiz about HPV, find additional resources and commit to take action, while even allowing concerned friends to anonymously share the application with peers.

The project was funded by the Fund to Prevent Cervical Cancer.

"Young adults trust information recommended by friends, however, friends are often reticent to share information about stigmatized illnesses such as STDs, mental illnesses or substance abuse. This project tests a novel strategy that spreads sensitive information through friendship networks, while still retaining anonymity," said Dr. Derek L. Hansen, assistant professor of Information Studies. "It also helps us learn how the application spreads through the network and identify misperceptions about HPV based on quiz results."

Dr. Atkinson has spent time researching the powerful influence of internet tools. Though her studies pertain more to healthy eating and exercising habits, she believes that Facebook is useful in spreading other public health messages.

"Already groups are organizing around health topics, and quizzes like 'HPV: FactCheck are a way to entertain while teaching people about health. Consistent with Diffusion Theory, the ability to share information and applications with friends lets public health practitioners disseminate our messages."

Read more about the "HPV: FactCheck" here.