elearning, an interactive technique for hiv knowledge transfer

eLearning - an interactive technique for HIV knowledge transfer

Hendra van Zyl, Pieter Visser, Elmarie van WykSA Medical Research Council

eLearning – an interactive technique for HIV knowledge transfer. ICKE, October 2009

Presentation outline

KM in a health contextProject backgroundClarifying terminology and theoryProject aim and objectivesKnowledge transfer and knowledge sharingSA curriculum aligned eMaterialResults of the interventionComments by participantsConclusion


IKM in a health context

Informatics & knowledge

management forms a major activity of the health care

profession and environment

In this context, Knowledge Management constitutes the

identification, mobilisation and use of knowledge to improve

decisions and actions.

In public health and medicine,

much of this work involves the

management of medical knowledge so that the target

audience can optimally use it.


Project background

The Web and Media Technologies Platform of the MRC applies a convergence of eHealth technologies for health knowledge transfer to points of needWMTP is a partner in the Irish-funded ZisukhanyoSchools Project. The highest incidence of HIV-infection in South Africa occurs in the age group 15–24 Incidence refers to new HIV infections1

In Ireland, the percentage of new HIV infections in the age group 15-29 years was 39% (n=405) in 2008 with 36% among females 2

1) Dorrington, R.E., Johnson, J.F., Bradshaw, D. & Daniel,T. (2006). The demographic impact of HIV/AIDS in South Africa. National and provincial indicators for 2006. Cape Town: Centre for Actuarial Research, South African Medical Research Council and Actuarial Society of South Africa.

2) ECDC 2007 report http://ecdc.europa.eu/


Clarifying terminology and theory

eHealth

Health belief theory

Resource –based

eLearning

Knowledge transfer & knowledge

sharing


Project aim

The aim of the Collaborative eLearning Project was to transfer HIV knowledge to

learners through the technique of resource-based eLearning.

Objectives for knowledge transfer and sharing

Create opportunity to gain reliable HIV knowledge

Transfer HIV knowledge via eLearning

Knowledge sharing

via

eMail discussion forum

Develop an HIV brochure -

demonstratingknowledge uptake

eLearning and collaboration

eLearning

eLessons

Interactive activities

Resources for revision

Collaboration

eMail among learners

Discussion forum

knowledge sharing

Collaboratively developed HIV brochures in small groups

Phase 1 Phase 2


SA curriculum aligned eMaterial

The first module, What is HIV/AIDS? with its two eLessons covered the origins of the HI-virus; and what the disease HIV and AIDS is and its effects. Each of the eLessons was enhanced with activities that allowed learners to digest the information.The next module, How does HIV spread? consisted of four eLessons that covered HIV transmission methods; myths about HIV transmission; more ways of HIV transmission; as well as phases and symptoms of HIV and AIDS. These were enhanced with a variety of activities after each lesson.The third module, What can we do not to become infected? consisted of two eLessons covering prevention methods; and tips to change risky behaviour. Again interesting activities were included to bring the messages home.The topic of the fourth module was What if I am HIV-positive? and consisted of three eLessons that included HIV testing; antiretroviral treatment; and counseling. It included activities to enhance the material.The last module looked at Living with AIDS and consisted of three eLessons how to address what the HIV-positive person can do; what caregivers can do; and helping a friend who has AIDS, with exercises and activities.


Evaluating the intervention

Learners completed a structured, eQuestionnaire before and after the project and, coupled with the HIV brochures and educators’ reports, researchers gained insight into their uptake of HIV knowledge. Of the total of 36 learners that participated in the project, 21 were girls and 15 were boys.The Irish transition year learners were 3 years older than the SA learners.Of the 23 questions, 18 showed statistical significant (p<0.05) improvements when results of the pre-questionnaire were compared to those of the post-questionnaire.


Selected results

Cross tabulations compared similar questions in order to verify if answers correlated as the example in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Questions on ARVs

Anti-retroviral medicine can help your body to ...

2009 - Before 2009 – After 2007 – Baseline

SA 4% 36%

Irish 28% 71%

Effects of anti-retroviral therapy

SA 9% 22% 16%

Irish 35% 71% 53%


Results / continued

Figure 1 below compares their knowledge of the ABC strategy for HIV prevention before and after the intervention

Figure 1: ABC strategy results before and after the intervention

Baseline Before AfterSA 66% 41% 91%Ireland 69% 42% 92%

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Crossed digital divide

ICTs used in eLearning phaseeQuestionnaires / eLessons / interactive activities / Search engines / Web sites

ICTs used in collaborative phaseeMail / discussion forum / brochures in Word / Post eQuestionnaire

eLearning on HIV took place in a

secure area in the AfroAIDSinfo portal


Learners’ perceptions

Figure 2: Learners perceptions of ICTs to cross the digital divide

Figure 2 below shows learners perceptions on the ICTs to assist them in knowledge uptake while crossing the digital divide

Very interesting to use Helped me to learn more about the world

Difficult to learn but I enjoyed it

Too complicated to use

SA 86% 82% 32% 0%Irish 50% 79% 0% 0%

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Learners comments on the use of ICTs


Learners perceptions /cont

Figure 3: Learners’ perceptions on crossing socio-economic divides

Figure 3 shows learners perceptions of knowledge transfer when crossing socio-economic divides

Helped me to learn

more about HIV/AIDS

Taught me nothing new

An interesting exercise

Changed my attitude

towards those

suffering from

HIV/AIDS

Too difficult

Showed me that I can work with

people from other

countries and cultures

Changed my attitude

about people from

other countries

and culturesIrish 93% 0% 57% 36% 14% 71% 36%SA 100% 0% 82% 64% 5% 91% 64%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Effects of the Collaborative eLearning Project


Primary and secondary benefits

Learners were primary

beneficiaries: through transfer of HIV knowledge /

exposure to ICTs / crossing socio-economic divide

Educators knowledge increased / the project was integrated in SA in Life Orientation / both schools know where to

find reliable HIV information

HIV brochures were disseminated

to parents and community members.

Benefits


In conclusion

The project showed that learning could take place effectively through the application of ICTs (knowledge transfer) and collaboration (knowledge sharing)… even among learners from different age groups, socio-economic status and cultural backgrounds, and could add an interesting dimension which in this technological age, stimulated young minds to make sacrifices in order to learn about topic such as HIV and AIDS.


Participants commentsLearners

“I extremely enjoyed the project. I've learnt a lot more about computers, HIV/AIDS and communicating with other learners. I've met new friends and have got a e-mail address. The brochure project I've enjoyed most of all. Being a part of it was a great opportunity, I never had a problem with staying after school.” -SA learner“Overall I really enjoyed the experience and learnt a lot from it!! It was really nice to talk to different people about a topic that they are so aware of and to collaborate in a project between the two different nations, thanks for a great experience! - Irish learner

Educators“This programme is extremely valuable and beneficial to students and should be compulsory in some form in schools. In depth knowledge into this topic is worthy of study and students should be exposed to this kind of information and awareness. Particularly for students who don’t live with HIV/AIDS in their everyday environment. The use of computers to do this is a useful/modern and effective method.”The programme definitely broadened the learners’ knowledge of HIV and AIDS. “These learners have excelled in their Life Orientation assessment where they were tested on sexuality and HIV/AIDS which is part of the curriculum.” Cultural differences were interesting and the SA learners learnt about St Patrick’s day and exchanged SA information.


Acknowledgement

SA Medical Research Council

Protea Schools Development Project

Irish AID

elearning, an interactive technique for hiv knowledge transfer

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