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Internet use among Ugandan adolescents: implications for HIV intervention
Michele L Ybarra1, Julius Kiwanuka, Nneka Emenyonu
1Internet Solutions for Kids, Irvine, California, United States of America. Michele@ISolutions4Kids.org
Plos Medicine
|November 9, 2006
Summary
Adolescents in Uganda show high interest in using the Internet for health information, particularly for HIV/AIDS prevention. This indicates the Internet
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Digital Health
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- The Internet is recognized as a cost-effective tool for health interventions.
- Its feasibility in resource-limited settings remains largely unknown.
- Assessing Internet availability and usage is crucial for technology-based interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess Internet availability and usage patterns among adolescents in Mbarara, Uganda.
- To determine the utility of developing technology-based health interventions in resource-limited settings.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional survey of 500 adolescents (ages 12-18) in Mbarara, Uganda.
- Random sampling from five secondary schools.
- Data collected on Internet use, health information seeking behaviors, and demographics.
Main Results:
- 45% of adolescents reported ever using the Internet; 78% of those used it weekly.
- Internet use increased with maternal education.
- 38% searched for health information online, with significant interest in HIV/AIDS (35%) and sexual health (20%).
- 66% would seek HIV/AIDS prevention information online if access were free.
Conclusions:
- Adolescents in Mbarara demonstrate a high desire and actual use of the Internet for sexual health and HIV/AIDS information.
- The Internet presents a promising strategy for low-cost HIV/AIDS interventions in resource-limited areas with growing Internet access.
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