Bridging the Digital Divide with Appropriate Electronic Media

From the July/August issue of Global AIDSLink, published by the Global Health Council, this article poses the question, "Does the digital divide have an impact on the HIV/AIDS pandemic?" It states that, despite the potential of information and communication technology (ICT) to widen the income gap between those who have access to technology and those who don't, ICTs offers new ways to prevent HIV/AIDS and treat those with the virus. The article gives examples of the potential benefits of technology for service providers, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), and those of unknown status or who are sero-negative.


These examples include the following:

1. Service Providers
   
   • Internet medicine: Informational access to physicians for remote providers through telemedicine and text messaging.
   • Satellite television for continuing education: Television programming on the most updated practices, made available at health clinics for those without internet access.
   • Information systems for managing HIV patients on medication: National registries of ARV use and compliance to give case managers, for example, up-to-date information on individual patient medications.
   • Data reporting via PDAs and mobile phones: Data entry for case management information via hand-held devices.




2. PLWHA
   
   
   • Text messaging reminders to take medication: Preprogrammed calls to give reminders and collect information on medication intake of patients.
   • Online support groups: Websites in which PLWHA share stories and offer support to each other in order to overcome stigmatisation and ostracism.




3. Prevention for Youth
   
   
   • Information-seeking: Anonymous counseling, particularly intended for teens, via virtual programmes or mobile phone hotlines; question and answer pages on the internet; access to virtual communities of support; and remote access to health professionals for counselling.
   • Satellite television in health clinic waiting areas: Information for clients during their 2-3 hour waiting periods, supplemented by face-to-face contact with "treatment literacy officers" who can support understanding of the information.

This document is accessible online for members of the Global Health Council. Membership is available on the Global Health Council website.