Result of the survey of AIDS INDIA e FORUM

[Guest guest]

Abstract: A study on the utilization of a peer to peer, HIV/AIDS related

electronic discussion forum: Result of the survey of AIDS INDIA e FORUM:

Joe . Editor/Moderator, AIDS INDIA e FORUM

/

Peer to peer electronic FORUMS have evolved as an effective tool for

information and communication. This study report the findings of the

effectiveness of a peer to peer, HIV/AIDS related electronic

discussion group. AIDS INDIA e FORUM is one of the largest e FORUM

with more than 4,600 subscribes who received 5-6 HIV/AIDS messages,

information and communication on a daily basis for the last six

years. This project is run on a Zero Budget. Accredited for Health on Net Code

(HON Code) of trustworthy health information.

Method. A brief questionnaire was send to all the subscribers during

December 2006. The time frame to respond to the questions were one

month an a reminder was send after 15 days.

Results. 118 valid responses were received. 24% of the respondents

were counsellors and social workers 8% were civil servants. 84% of

the respondents were from India. 35% of the respondents were women

and 64 % men. 37% of the respondents were 30-39 age category and 34%

were belongs to 40-49 age bracket.

1) Rating of the FORUM

42% of the respondents rated the forum as excellent- as the overall

value of AIDS INDIA e FORUM as a regular source of AIDS related

information. 49% reported it as a `GOOD' source of information.

2) % of the messages read by the respondents

42% of the respondents read all or almost all (75-100%) of the

messages weekly and 42 percent read many (50-75%)

3) The frequency of subscribers participation

The frequency of the subscribers direct participation in the

discussion by way of posting message varied. 6% participated weekly,

4% fortnightly, 14% once a month, 14% once in three months, 16% once

in six months. 45% never posted any messages on the FORU,

4) Reasons for not participating

The reasons for not participating in discussions on the forums was

due to too much information for 7%, prohibitive cost and expenses of

the internet for 3%, 3% of the agencies where the respondents work,

prohibits posting messages on the e FORUMS. 5% do not have regular

access to internet connection. 31% have no time/too busy. 49% of the

respondents are just happy to read the discussions. None reported not

confident in English as the reason for not participating in the

discussion. 4% did not know how to submit messages on the FORUM.

11% were reluctant to give opinions in public

5) Nature of most useful messages

The response to the question, what type of messages do you find most

useful was of multiple choice. 66% of the respondents reported

discussion of specific topics by other subscribers was most useful.

61% reported announcements of conferences, scholarships, web sites

and job vacancies were most useful. 61% of the respondents reported

journal articles, book references were useful. 42% for conference

coverage, 65% project reports, lessons learned, best practices, 39%

links to resources on the Internet, 28% cross postings from other

lists, and 24% of the respondents reported requests for information

was most useful. ]

6) What do the subscribers do with the messages?

81% of the respondents used the information from the FORUM to

increase current knowledge and awareness about HIV/AIDS. 46% used

for program development/ Policy development. 14% used in clinical

management, 43% for teaching and research. 59% shareed information

with colleagues, 31% used for networking. 20% print messages and keep

these in the resource centre. Following are some of the examples of

how the AIDS INDIA e FORUM has been helpful to respondents in their

work

1. " Keeps me updated on the latest developments and I have used

the same in my trainings

2. helps me to learn the latest development or current news in

this ever changing field of HIV "

3. " It is useful to answer the questions of students when I

conduct sessions for adolescence "

4. " Through the information I have received from the FORUM, I

attended and presented A paper on HIV In Canada "

5 " It helps me to make me confident that I can express my own

views on HIV/AIDS in India "

6. " Keeping me abreast on the HIV/AIDS related updates " .

7. " Details of conference, or studies conducted elsewhere have

helped me programmatically "

8. Helped us in recruitment of candidates for various vacancies

and helped us to advertise our own training programs

9. The Forum increases our knowledge on the topic. It brings

latest updates about HIV/AIDS in India and globally

10. Manny important issues have discussed in this

forum

11. With out this service, it was not possible to understand what

programmes

are going on in different parts of the country

12. Helped in writing grant proposal

13. It certainly has been continuing to be the right source of

latest info on rounds and various announcements

14. The information made available thrugh the forum help me getting

the insight on what is happening on the ground

15. I am writing a book on HIV/AIDS. Many things learnt from the

forum will be useful

16. While developing project proposals, I collect information

from the postings

17. Learned about the drug interactions, the policy changes regarding

the drug

regulations etc

18. Made call for inputs on regional reports for UNAIDS PCB and

got productive feedback from around Asia Pacific region

19. It has helped me in two ways: Given information on the

concerns of individuals and organization

20. I get daily information on problems faced by PLHAS in

accessing treatment

21. I teach a course Hospital and Health Management to PG

Management students and use the information drawn from the Form in

the class room

22. Posting on latest guidelines (WHO, CDC, etc.) helps us in

updating our training curriculum

23. Its been helpful in guiding a few PLWHAs for seeking support

and guidence

24. The district Tuberculosis officer immediately came to my

clinic to offer DOTS at my clinic after my posting on the FORUM

25. As a professional development worker in the HIV/AIDS

intervention field, my knowledge has been updated

26. The information I get through this FORUMS is edited and

published in our NGO news tabloid, NGO-Connect, for sharing with

other NGOs

27. Whatever information getting on related issues which is

helping me to do networking ,

28. increased awareness what is happening at the national

level

29. Gives the recent data on HIV /AIDS there by I can give the

latest information to my colleagues and clients

30. It is improving my knowledge of the pandemic in India as I

work toward greater involvement on the ground level

31. I was ignorant about ART, its availability, CD4 testing, cost

& various other associated problems. The FORUM helped me to under

stand the issues.

32. While conducting training ,utilise and propagate the latest

happenings in the field of HIV/AIDS

33. It has been a very useful information in formulating

framework and strategy papers for intervention

34. Updating knowledge base is essential for our profession

therefore, I always have to read and learn before going to deliver

sessions

35. Based on the information I received, I was selected as one of

the yuva star for the Hath se Hath mila programme sponsored by NACO,

Doordarsan & BBC

36. Keeps me aware of other HIV/AIDS efforts country-wide, alerts

me to conference, training opportunities and professional development

37. This the first time any news media in India given adequate

focus on the unavailability of second line of ARV. This FORUM

contributed substantialy to tretment advocacy.

38. I got news of an international conference related to my work

and could attend it as a delegate

39. Change in policies help us to understand the market better at

the same time we are helping or collaborating with others through the

FORUM

40. Got more knowledge about the patenting and corporate house

squabbles over the price war , drug reactions etc

41. Many aspects of HIV/AIDS are covered in the discussions. It

has helped me in formulating consultancy

42. I keep myself updated about all that is happening in India

and around the world on issues of HIV/AIDS through this FORUM

43. It is very helpful because most of the state updates and

national updates on HIV/AIDS was received though this FORUM

7) Impact of the messages

After reading the messages, during the last one month, 42% visited a

website of a project, 51% down loaded a publication or online

resource, 5% requested for more information, 13% registered for an

event (training, workshop, meeting), 25% contacted other

people/organization whom they have never contacted before and 21%

responded to an advocacy call for action

8) Number of FORUMS the subscribers are member to

43% of the respondents are member of only this FORUM. 48% of the

respondents are subscribers of 1-5 Forums. Only 3% are subscribers

to 6-10 Forums and 2% are subscribers to more than 11 FORUMS .

9) The most important benefit of being on the FORUM

The most important benefit of being on the FORUM varies from getting

a job to extending friendship circle. 4% of the respondents got

their current job, 8% attended a conference, 1% received a

scholarship, 12% got beneficial information about grants/funds, 58%

become more aware of the HIV/AIDS policies and 5% extended their

friendship/contact net work

10) Where do the subscribers access the internet from?

48% usually access their e-mails from their office or work place. 15%

from their home, 6% from Internet Café and 25% from home and

office.

12) Frequency of checking messages

75% of the respondents do check their e-mail daily. 13% check their e-

mails 2-3 times in a week, 5% only once in a week and 2% only few

times in a month.

13) Ideal number of messages to be posted on the FORUM

14% of the respondents reported that too many messages are posted

daily. For 60% of the respondents 4 - 5 messages posted daily is

fine with them. 10% of the respondents requested to post more the 5

messages in a day and 10% requested to reduce the postings to 2-3

messages in a day.

14) Nature of internet access

18% of the respondents have direct dial up net work (Slow

connection). 53% of the respondents have direct broad band

connection (ADSL, Cable, ISDN, or Faster connection). 18% of the

respondents computer is linked to an office computer network.

Additional suggestions and Recommendations from the respondents

1. People of Meghalaya, Shillong North East India are not

represented adequately on the FORUM

2. Maybe focussing on one particular topic each month and invite

response accordingly

3. Please include more clinical work which can include case

discussions as well

4. Involve more experts from clinical field

5. Allow more right based articles

6. It would be great if more research information are gathered and

posted on the FORUM

7. Should carry more scientific articles

8. Along with this FORUM Try to develop a print media also on

HIV/AIDS issues in

India on a Monthly basis

9. Classify the information in such a way that - messages on

specialised issued could be included

10. AIDS INDIA eFORUM has more reach than its actual membership

11. It has not gone to the grass root level where a lot of work

has been done

12. Need to increase academic information and journal information

13. Analysis of news would be very useful

14. Good forum. Has wide reaching capacity

15. Would like to commend the forum for not charging, for its

16. Very few responses recently on clinical medicine and treatment

17. Thanks for your untiring great work

18. Need to increase participation from government

19. Very informative forum, maybe six months summary of what has

discussed on the FORUM will be particular use

20. UNAIDS must document the experience of this FORUM as a best

practice

21. Excellent and thoughtful initiative which is very much needed

and useful in HIV response in India.

Conclusion.

Peer to peer electronic FORUMS are an effective tool for HIV and AIDS related

information and communication among the key stake holders. Increases policy

awareness and enhances greater professional response. Cost effective mechanism

for rapid diffusion of policy and program changes. e FORUMS are contributing to

the social capital for HIV response. Increasingly becoming a community of

practitioners, knowledge management system.