title: Information and communication technology and community-based health sciences training in Uganda: perceptions and experiences of educators and students.
abstract: Information and communication technology (ICT) has been advocated as a powerful tool for improving health education in low-resource settings. However, few evaluations have been performed of ICT perceptions and user experiences in low-resource settings. During late 2009, an internet-based survey on ICT was administered to students, tutors, and faculty members associated with a Community-Based Education and Service (COBES) program in Uganda. 255 surveys were completed. Response rates varied (students, 188/684, 27.5%; tutors, 14/27, 51.9%; faculty, 53/335, 15.8%). Most respondents owned mobile phones (98%). Students were less likely (p < 0.001) to own laptops (25%) compared to tutors (71%) and faculty (85%). Internet access at rural sites was uncommon; mobile phone coverage was almost universally present. Laptop ownership and internet and mobile phone access was not associated with high valuation of students' COBES experiences. Free text responses found that respondents valued ICT access for research, learning, and communication purposes. In summary, ICT penetration in this population is primarily manifest by extensive mobile phone ownership. Internet access in rural educational sites is still lacking, but students and educators appear eager to utilize this resource if availability improves. ICT may offer a unique opportunity to improve the quality of teaching and learning for COBES participants.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. lchang8@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Larry W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mwanika
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.forename: Wilson W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Muhwezi
authors.forename: Rose C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Nabirye
authors.forename: Scovia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mbalinda
authors.forename: Isaac
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Okullo
authors.forename: Caitlin E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Groves
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Sisson
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Burnham
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Bollinger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D040421:Cell Phone / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005178:Faculty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000193:education*; D008838:Microcomputers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014454:Uganda