Using the Internet to Increase Access to HIV information

UNDP and Yahoo! partner to creatively utilize the reach of the internet

Beijing, China (November 27, 2008) /ChinaNewswire.com/ — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Yahoo! China have partnered together in an innovative partnership to increase access to HIV and AIDS information for Chinese internet users.

"UNDP continues to work with the private sector in creative ways to involve the private sector in the response to AIDS," stated Napoleon Navarro, UNDP Deputy Country Director. "Working with Yahoo brings a wealth of experiences and knowhow to develop innovative messages and utilize key distribution platforms to reach diverse population groups."

The internet has long been identified as a key platform to increase user's access to HIV awareness and prevention information. Current internet based interventions consist of establishing websites and chat rooms. However, these mechanisms alone have been ineffective in providing key access to the majority of internet users. According to a recent study released by UNAIDS, some 83% have never actively sought information on HIV.

The partnership between UNDP and Yahoo (www.yahoo.cn) aims to innovatively use search engines to provide a higher level and direct entry point to HIV prevention information for users not directly searching for HIV. By using search string technology, Yahoo will provide advertisement space with the key message: "Do you know about HIV and HIV Testing?" when the search topic is linked to over 20 high risk behaviors related key words such as sex, porn and gay.

This partnership builds on UNDP's ongoing efforts to increase access to HIV awareness information to millions of Chinese by working with commercial media and advertisement companies, government partners, production companies, people living with HIV and UN partners. Over the past two years, these public private partnerships have led to the development and distribution of key anti stigma and safer sex messages via video advertisement platforms on buses, trains, airports and billboards throughout university campuses and gas stations.

According to the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), China has over 210 million internet users, with the average age being 25 years old and students accounting for 32.3 percent.

Yahoo search is a global leader in search engine technology with dozens of patent technology, precision computing power to support 38 languages, services more than 50 percent of the world's Internet search needs. According to the CNNIC, Yahoo is one of the top three search engines in China.

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Edmund Settle, HIV programme specialist, UNDP
  edmund.settle@undp.org or 86-10 8532-0775