Cross-Cultural Interaction on Social Media Health Platforms: Challenges and Opportunities from Africa
摘要
This study investigates how social media health platforms facilitate or hinder cross-cultural interactions, evaluates the effectiveness of platform features in promoting meaningful engagement, and identifies strategies that healthcare communities can adopt to foster inclusiveness across diverse cultural groups, with a particular emphasis on African users. A mixed-methods design was used to analyze data from 155 Nigerians and Ghanaians of African descent in the U.S. engaged in health-related discussions on social media platforms. Findings reveal that while social media health platforms enable cross-cultural interactions, challenges such as cultural misunderstandings, misinformation, and language barriers remain prevalent. Platform features—including automatic translation, multimedia sharing, topic-based discussions, and culturally sensitive moderation—substantially support cross-cultural engagement. These strategies enhance the quality of interactions and promote a sense of belonging among users from diverse backgrounds. By implementing these approaches, social media health platforms can further bridge cultural divides and create a more inclusive online environment. This study concludes that integrated approaches combining technical design, and community involvement are crucial for maintaining inclusive global health communities, especially in Africa.