A Systematic Literature Review to Assess the Impact of Social Networks on Healthcare in India.

Social network analysis (SNA) has been globally used to successfully implement intervention programs, and track contagious diseases. Social capital and social support are also being recognized as predictors of improved health and well-being. However, not much data is available on the use of social networks in India. This systematic literature review was carried out to evaluate the utility of social networks as a change implementation tool in Indian healthcare. Studies were retrieved from Embase, Pubmed and Cochrane databases, using relevant search strategies. Abstracts and posters from the relevant conferences were also hand searched. Included studies were primarily conducted in India, and reported the utility and impact of social networks, with a focus on SNA methods and metrics in various healthcare settings in India. Two researchers independently reviewed studies using the Cochrane methodology. Quality assessment of the included studies was conducted using the STROBE checklist. In total, 1100 potentially relevant studies were screened. Following screening of abstracts and full-text publications, about twenty primary publications (survey-based [focus groups, interviews], and community-based intervention studies) were included. SNA was primarily used in studying disease transmission networks such as HIV, and successful implementation of interventions towards neonatal mortality, and better maternal health. Further use included identification of knowledge dissemination networks in geriatric care, use of contraceptives, mental health, epilepsy, and autism. Detailed analyses of the findings from studies are still ongoing and will be presented in the poster. Preliminary analysis shows that limited evidence exists on the use of SNA and impact of social networks on healthcare in India. It also highlights the disparity in the awareness among Indian health communities regarding the utility of social networks. For a country with divergent health systems and a huge rural population, the use of social networks may be very impactful in improving healthcare.