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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.