Using Mobile Phones to Enhance HIV Prevention Knowledge among Village Doctors in Developing Regions A Study in Guangxi China

Yao Zhang; Xiaoming Li; Shan Qiao; Zhiyong Shen; Weigui Guo

Yao Zhang Kent State University
Xiaoming Li 2Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behaviors, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina
Shan Qiao 2Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behaviors, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina
Zhiyong Shen Guangxi Center for Disease Prevention and Control, China
Weigui Guo Guangxi Center for Disease Prevention and Control, China

Abstract

This study examines the effects of using mobile phones to promote the HIV prevention knowledge among the village doctors in Beihai, Guangxi, China. Data was derived from the baseline survey of an mHealth-based HIV prevention and care training project among village doctors. Of the 228 participants who completed the questionnaires, 80.3% were male, 32% received a college or higher education, and 74.4% had a monthly income below 3,000 RMB (≈434 USD). Their average HIV prevention knowledge score was 5.56 ±1.84. The participants’ HIV prevention knowledge was found to be positively associated with the frequency of accessing the Internet using mobile phones, online information searching, and accessing social media using mobile phones. The results indicated that future library services should consider mobile phones as an effective tool for disseminating HIV prevention knowledge via online approaches.

Author Biographies

Xiaoming Li, 2Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behaviors, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina

Shan Qiao, 2Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behaviors, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina

Zhiyong Shen, Guangxi Center for Disease Prevention and Control, China

Weigui Guo, Guangxi Center for Disease Prevention and Control, China