Workshop: Scope of Internet in HIV/AIDS response

[Guest guest]

" Scope of Internet Mediated Communication (IMC) in HIV/AIDS

response " . An introductory workshop

Organised by CBCI Health Commission

Sponsored by: Association Francois Xavior Bagnoud (AFXB)

Dates: 29th to 30th Aug.

Venue: Holy Family Hospital, Okhala, . New Delhi

Facilitator: Dr. Joe

Total number of participants. 20

A. Introduction

The Internet mediated communications is proving to be an emerging

and promising avenue for the dissemination of HIV & AIDS prevention

and care related information and communication. However, an

organised approach towards enhancing the capacity of stake holders

in integrating IMC into HIV/AIDS response is still in it's infancy.

This workshop explores the implications of Internet mediated

communications (IMC) on HIV/AIDS prevention and care related

information and communication. A variety of subjects are covered in

this workshop including overview of internet mediated

communication, understanding the structure of HIV/AIDS related

information on the internet, function and role of e forums, methods

of categorising e forums, models of e forums, techniques to review

the e forums, social influence, regulatory issues, effects on

research, issues of participatory democracy on the cyberspace and an

introduction to the scope of virtual organizations in HIV/AIDS

response.

Overall, participants will enhance their knowledge and awareness of

online HIV and AIDS information and increase their capacity to

integrate IMC into their HIV and AIDS response.

B. The context

Rapid spread of Internet has provided an unprecedented opportunity

for rapid diffusion of information and knowledge on a global level.

The full potential of Internet mediated information and

communication possibilities has not been systematically harnessed,

fully to enhance HIV and AIDS prevention and care efforts

The empowering potential of Internet, the ability to use the

information as and when the health care consumers and service

providers require it has not been fully explored in developing

countries

The social consequences of the emerging `digital divide' is more

acute than other health inequities

There is an urgent need to explore and exploit the full potential of

the interactivity- capacity of Internet as part of the global

efforts to combat the causes and consequences of HIV infection.

C. Scope & Objective

To review the extent and nature of the use of Internet mediated

communication in HIV and AIDS related work

To identify strategies to promote the use of Internet in HIV and

AIDS related work

To assist the participants to enhance their skill in using internet

as an information, communication and learning tool

D. The target audience

Health care providers

People living with HIV/AIDS

Regular Internet users for health information

Selected web masters

HIV/AIDS Advocates

e correspondences

Community leaders

Policy makers

The particpants are expected to be already familier with the basic

operation and in the use of internet.

E. Issues to be explored in the workshop

1. Introduction to IMC

2. Theory and principles of health communication

3. The structure of HIV/AIDS information on the internet

4. Introduction to HIV/AIDS resources on the internet

5. Introduction to HIV/AIDS e-FORUMS

6. How to assess the quality and Reliability of information

7. Barriers to an effective IMC in HIV/AIDS response

8. A personal action plan on how to integrate internet into your

daily work

F. Method

Presentation by the facilitator and participants, group discussions,

demonstration & practicals

G. Sponsored by: Association Francois Xavior Bagnoud (AFXB)

Joe

E-mail: jthomas@...