Web and Media Technologies
Research Highlights
WMT, residing in the eHealth Research and Innovation Platform, utilised a convergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to conduct eHealth research with a major focus on HIV/AIDS prevention among online and within disadvantaged communities.
Impact on scientific body of knowledge
We conducted a research study, comparing eLearning to traditional classroom learning on the uptake of HIV knowledge in Life Orientation within primary schools in the Western Cape, South Africa and in Dublin, Ireland. Overall findings indicated that eLearning is an effective technique and opportunities for scaling-up and recommendations on wide implementation in various configurations were made to the South African and Irish Education Departments.
Contributions to public health
The AfroAIDSinfo Project celebrated its tenth anniversary during 2011 as a reliable source of health information on HIV/AIDS for scientists, health professionals, policy makers, educators and the public. Monthly articles were published according to the needs of each audience and an eNewsletter were distributed to members on a monthly basis. A study was undertaken to develop quality criteria for online articles before submission to the official editorial board. The outcome was a best practice guideline according to which articles are now compiled.
Based on our international collaboration with the Health On the Net Foundation (HON), English-speaking African countries’ Web sites are reviewed to apply quality assurance methods for health and medical information on the Internet. This approach has become necessary as international studies indicated that the Internet is used worldwide as the next source of health and medical information after the physician. This led to a desktop study investigating to what extent Web sites comply with quality assurance methods as provided by HON. Findings indicated the dire need for training and education. An exploratory study followed to establish the feasibility of curriculum integration in African university courses, showing more than 70% interest among participants. Read more about HON for Africa. |
