CyberSenga: Harnessing the power of the internet to prevent HIV in Ugandan youth

HIV and AIDS have had a devastating impact on the world’s morbidity and mortality figures, and this is particularly true on countries in sub-Saharan Africa such as Uganda. Concurrently, there has been an explosion in technology use. In fact, almost half of adolescents in Mbarara we surveyed said they have ever used the Internet, 75% of whom were online in the past week.

The CyberSenga project aims to use the Internet to help increase HIV preventive behavior among adolescents in Uganda. By this we mean promoting continued abstinence among those who are not having sex, and the correct and consistent use of condoms among those who are sexually active. To do so, we are developing an Internet-based program that will teach young people problem solving and communication skills, as well as skills in using condoms. Users will be guided through the program by virtual sengas. Once the website is developed, we will be testing it among adolescents living in Mbarara. This project is being conducted in partnership with Mbarara University Science and Technology, Harvard University, and the University of Colorado; and is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH80662).