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Evaluation of a Computer-Based HIV Education Program for Adults Living with HIV

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Abstract

This study evaluated a computer-delivered HIV and antiretroviral treatment education program in adults (N = 102) living with detectable HIV viral loads (> 200 copies/mL). The self-paced program provided immediate feedback for responses and financial incentives for responding correctly. The program was divided into three courses and a test of content from all three courses was delivered before and after participants completed each course. Test scores on the content delivered in Courses 1, 2 and 3 improved only after participants completed training on the relevant course. Initial test scores were positively correlated with health literacy and academic achievement; were negatively correlated with viral load; and were lowest for participants living in poverty. Education, academic achievement, and health literacy were related to how much participants learned following each course. Computer-based education is a convenient, effective approach to promoting an understanding of HIV and its treatment.

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Acknowledgements

The preparation of this publication was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health under Award Nos. R01AI117065 and T32DA07209.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Shrinidhi Subramaniam

    Present address: California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, CA, USA

  2. Carol-Ann Getty

    Present address: King’s College London, London, UK

  3. Brian Katz

    Present address: West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA

  4. Brantley P. Jarvis

    Present address: Knowesis, LLC, Fairfax, VA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Learning and Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5200 Eastern Avenue, Suite 350 East, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA

    Shrinidhi Subramaniam, Carol-Ann Getty, August F. Holtyn, Andrew Rodewald, Brian Katz, Brantley P. Jarvis, Jeannie-Marie S. Leoutsakos, Michael Fingerhood & Kenneth Silverman

  2. Psychology Department, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK

    Carol-Ann Getty

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  1. Shrinidhi Subramaniam
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Correspondence to Kenneth Silverman.

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Subramaniam, S., Getty, CA., Holtyn, A.F. et al. Evaluation of a Computer-Based HIV Education Program for Adults Living with HIV. AIDS Behav 23, 3152–3164 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-019-02474-z

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