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Traci Hong, PhD, Telecommunications Department, Indiana University, 1229 East 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47405, 812 856 7616, trhong@indiana.edu and Christopher Beaudoin, Department of Communications, Indiana University, Bloomington Street, Bloomington, IN 47405.
The current study examines the content of HIV/AIDS websites in light of the great risk posed by the disease and the United Nations� new effort to bring Internet access to people in the developing world so that they can obtain up-to-date information about the disease. The study examines the manner in which HIV/AIDS is portrayed in websites from three countries�South Africa, India, and the United States�that have differing HIV/AIDS situations and preventative histories and approaches. A content analysis examined more than 600 HIV/AIDS websites, with coding categories including message strategies, appeals, characters, interactivity, prevalence, means of transmission, and preventative measures. In addition, we consider whether the messages seem to reflect the HIV/AIDS situation in each country�or affect positive attitudinal and behavioral change related to HIV/AIDS. Findings indicate differing approaches to presenting information about and preventing the spread of the disease in the three focal countries. Findings are considered in terms of each nation�s HIV/AIDS prevalence and health communication theory. Recommendations are made for public health practitioners and researchers.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Communication, Internet
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.