The Efficacy of Information and Communication Technology in HIV/AIDS Health Education in Hatcliffe District Harare · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Makoni, Chipo. O

Title

The Efficacy of Information and Communication Technology in HIV/AIDS Health Education in Hatcliffe District Harare

Abstract

Many scholars and practitioners in public health, social work and other related fields are
advocating for the adoption of ICTs in HIV/AIDS programming due to their presumed
efficiency, effectiveness and ability to increase outreach of healthcare services. This study
sought to explore the efficacy of information and communication technology in HIV/AIDS
programming among young people. Its objectives were to explore the ICT infrastructures
impact population health outcomes in health delivery systems, understand the role of
technology in HIV/AIDS programming, find out about the available ICT infrastructure in
HIV/AIDS programming, identify existing bottlenecks of ICT regarding HIV/AIDS education
and to determine possible intervention strategies to improve ICT infrastructure in HIV/AIDS
programming. A descriptive research design based on a mixed research approach was used to
fulfil the research objectives. The population of the study was made up young people in
Hatcliffe aged of 16-24 and key informants from HIV/AIDS organisations, Social Services
department, civil society, and health service providers operating in Hatcliffe. Data was
collected from 16 young people using self-administered questionnaires and from 7 key
informants using individual interviews. Quantitative data was analysed using percentages,
mean and standard deviation while qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings from the study indicated that ICTs are very instrumental in HIV/AIDS as they are
efficient in disseminating knowledge and information about HIV/AIDS, enhance quality,
efficiency and accessibility of HIV/AIDS healthcare services and improve the availability of
reliable and accurate data on HIV/AIDS, enabling informed decision-making. However there
are several barriers, including unreliable electricity supply and poor network connectivity
and insufficient financial ICT and skilled personnel to effectively use ICTs in HIV/AIDS
programming. The study thus came up with a number of recommendations to the government,
health sector, developmental organisations and young people to ameliorate these challenges.

Date

2023

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

HIV and AIDS

Information And Communication Technology

Health Education

Supervisor

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