ERIC Number: EJ1221525
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Aug
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0017-8969
EISSN: N/A
A Smartphone Game to Prevent HIV among Young Kenyans: Household Dynamics of Gameplay in a Feasibility Study
Winskell, Kate; Sabben, Gaëlle; Ondeng'e, Ken; Odero, Isdorah; Akelo, Victor; Mudhune, Victor
Health Education Journal, v78 n5 p595-606 Aug 2019
Objective: mHealth interventions often favour individual-level effects. This is particularly problematic in contexts where social support and shifts in social norms are critical to sustained behaviour change. Mobile digital games represent a promising health education strategy for youth, including in low-resource settings. We sought to better understand the interpersonal and social interactions that can be elicited by digital games for health. Design: We piloted "Tumaini," a smartphone game rooted in interactive narrative designed to prevent HIV among young Africans (aged 11-14), in a randomised controlled feasibility study and analysed reports of the household dynamics surrounding gameplay. Following a 16-day intervention period, phone gameplay log files were downloaded, and intervention arm participants (n = 30) completed a gameplay experience survey; eight focus group discussions were held, four with intervention arm participants (n = 27) and four with their parents (n = 22). Setting: This study took place in Kisumu, Kenya, in Spring 2017. Method: Descriptive statistics were computed from survey responses and log files. Focus group transcripts were labelled, analysed thematically and compared demographically using MAXQDA software. Results: Data from log files, surveys and focus groups indicate that the game generated considerable interaction and dialogue with parents, siblings and friends and served as a catalyst for children to act as advocates for healthful decisions about sex, both within the family and beyond. The game showed a high level of acceptability with parents. Conclusion: Serious digital games using a smartphone platform can generate considerable household interaction. Games can model and facilitate these exchanges, maximising multi-level effects. An additional app for parents could reinforce these effects.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Handheld Devices, Telecommunications, Educational Games, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Prevention, Intervention, Health Promotion, Health Education, Outcomes of Education, Sex Education, Adolescents, Parent Child Relationship, Peer Relationship
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (DHHS)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Kenya
Grant or Contract Numbers: 5R34MH106368