HIV/AIDS Information on East African Websites: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

According to the UNAIDS Global Report of 2010, Sub-Saharan Africa has about 22.5 million people living with HIV/AIDS. In a textual analysis of government-sponsored and private websites originating in East Africa, we analyze how the Internet and social media tools are used to disseminate information about HIV/AIDS and promote social change among targeted audiences. Our analysis found that content available on selected government and private websites, with minor exceptions, is generally not updated frequently nor systematically targeted specifically to those who can benefit most from the information. The government-initiated websites were populated with information that highlighted national strategic plans and focused on evaluation reports, while the private organizations provided information that in some instances was customized for specific audiences, but overall encouraged grassroots collaborations.