Impact of implementing an online interactive educational tool for future HIV “cure” research in an HIV clinic waiting room in Cape Town, South Africa

ABSTRACT

Access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) in South Africa is suboptimal and erratic. For those on treatment, compliance remains a significant challenge. Interruptions to ART have negative implications for the individual and the epidemic. ART is therefore not a sustainable solution and there is an urgent need for a cure. As HIV cure research expands globally, the need to engage community members about cure is becoming a priority. It is vital that potential trial participants understand basic HIV cure research concepts. An online interactive educational tool was co-created with HIV stakeholders to engage and inform HIV research trial participants. The study was conducted with patients at the FAMCRU HIV clinic at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. The educational tool comprises two modules that provide information on HIV prevention, treatment and cure research. Participants completed a questionnaire before and after interacting with the programme. There was a significant increase in knowledge scores of participants demonstrated after using the tool. The interactive tool was successful in increasing participants’ knowledge of HIV prevention, treatment and cure research.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV cure research
• education
• Audio-visual aids
• Multi-media programme
• patient participation
• interactive tool
• HIV knowledge

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Tygerberg Hospital, in particular the FAMCRU Clinic for supporting the project. The authors thank all the study participants. MH conducted interviews, analysed data, and was responsible for drafting the article and revised all subsequent editions. OV conducted a literature review and drafted sections of the article. FC created the POWTOONS animations for the online interactive tools. She commented on the draft version of the article. MK was responsible for statistical analysis and commented on all drafts of the article. KM is the Principal Investigator of the project and provided general oversight. She was involved in designing the study, supervising the development of module content and editing the article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

NIH/NIAID grant (R01A108366-01: ‘Unintended and Intended Implications of HIV Cure: A Social and Ethical Analysis’). The Working Group's composition and rationale is explained at http://searchiv.web.unc.edu/.