title: Using a theoretical framework to investigate whether the HIV/AIDS information needs of the AfroAIDSinfo Web portal members are met: a South African eHealth study.
abstract: eHealth has been identified as a useful approach to disseminate HIV/AIDS information. Together with Consumer Health Informatics (CHI), the Web-to-Public Knowledge Transfer Model (WPKTM) has been applied as a theoretical framework to identify consumer needs for AfroAIDSinfo, a South African Web portal. As part of the CHI practice, regular eSurveys are conducted to determine whether these needs are changing and are continually being met. eSurveys show high rates of satisfaction with the content as well as the modes of delivery. The nature of information is thought of as reliable to reuse; both for education and for referencing of information. Using CHI and the WPKTM as a theoretical framework, it ensures that needs of consumers are being met and that they find the tailored methods of presenting the information agreeable. Combining ICTs and theories in eHealth interventions, this approach can be expanded to deliver information in other sectors of public health.
authors.affiliation: Web and Media Technologies, South African Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 19070, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa. hendravanzyl@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hendra
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Zyl
authors.affiliation: Web and Media Technologies, South African Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 19070, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa. mmyburgh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kotze
authors.affiliation: Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 19070, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa. ria.laubscher@mrc.ac.za.
authors.forename: Ria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laubscher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017216:Telemedicine; D055815:Young Adult