A Smartphone Game to Prevent HIV among Young Kenyans: Household Dynamics of Gameplay in a Feasibility Study.
Health Educ J
; 78(5): 595-606, 2019 Aug 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34219796
ABSTRACT
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), 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, survey 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.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2019
Tipo de documento:
Article