BMC International Health and Human Rights (Feb 2010)

Culturally-adapted and audio-technology assisted HIV/AIDS awareness and education program in rural Nigeria: a cohort study

  • Lennox Jeffrey L,
  • Ifland Rick,
  • Kane Michael,
  • Rosenberg Eli S,
  • Binongo Jose,
  • Ofotokun Ighovwerha,
  • Easley Kirk A

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-698X-10-2
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 1
p. 2

Abstract

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Abstract Background HIV-awareness programs tailored toward the needs of rural communities are needed. We sought to quantify change in HIV knowledge in three rural Nigerian villages following an integrated culturally adapted and technology assisted educational intervention. Methods A prospective 14-week cohort study was designed to compare short-term changes in HIV knowledge between seminar-based education program and a novel program, which capitalized on the rural culture of small-group oral learning and was delivered by portable digital-audio technology. Results Participants were mostly Moslem (99%), male (53.5%), with no formal education (55%). Baseline HIV knowledge was low ( Conclusions Baseline HIV-awareness was low. Culturally adapted, technology-assisted HIV education program is a feasible cost-effective method of raising HIV awareness among low-literacy rural communities.