Widening access to HIV/AIDS training through e-learning: A pilot study conducted in Kenya, Ukanda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and China.
Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. WeOrD1242)
Hancock ME, Adie CE, O'Keeffe CM, Blois G Mildmay International, Southend on Sea, United Kingdom
Mildmay International (MI) has been providing successful traditional training in HIV/AIDS care and management in many countries throughout the world, for example, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Thailand, Belarus, Ukraine. Issue MI has found that more people require training than are able to access it so e-learning is being developed as a means of making the training more widely available. Description In order to assess the viability of e-learning a course was developed and a pilot study was conducted in Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and China. Findings There were many applicants for the course and the enrolled participants were enthusiastic. Some participants had trouble accessing the course regularly. Problems included in-country political unrest and lack of personal resources. A few participants were not computer literate and needed help in accessing the course. Participants reported that they enjoyed the e-learning course and particularly liked the idea that they could share information and discuss problems with other students from different countries. Recommendations To be effective e-learning courses must be of high quality, provide students with group and individual tutor support, have measurable positive outcomes and should help in building in-country capacity. Participants to e-learning courses should be given course materials in CD and workbook formats so that if computer access is interrupted progress will not be impeded. In-order to accommodate students who are not computer literate a computer tutorial should be offered. e-Learning can make HIV/AIDS training more accessible, more cost-effective and can help build in-country capacity, so should be developed further.
Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, Pilot Projects, HIV Infections, Behavior, Kenya, Learning, Zimbabwe, Teaching, Public Policy, Thailand, Uganda, China, Tanzania, Nigeria, Byelarus, Ukraine, economics, education, organization & administration
