The University of Plymouth Sexual Health SIM experience in Second Life: evaluation and reflections after 1 year

Health Information and Libraries Journal
Maged N Kamel Boulos, Susan Toth-Cohen

Abstract

Virtual environments such as Second Life are increasingly used as venues for public health education. This paper reports an evaluation of a sexual health project in Second Life, designed to provide education about sexually transmitted infections, prevention of unintended pregnancy and promotion of equalitarian sexual relationships. The University of Plymouth Sexual Health SIM provides a wide variety of educational experiences, including opportunities to test knowledge of sexual health through quizzes and games, web resources integrated within the virtual context and live seminars on sexual health topics. Primary methods of evaluation consisted of a survey (n = 135) and traffic statistics on the virtual programme. Evaluation results indicated that the Sexual Health SIM was positively viewed by its audience and fostered development of a vibrant virtual community. While these results are promising, it is important to keep in mind the many challenges of delivering and evaluating the impact of educational programmes within 3-D virtual environments.

References

Nov 17, 2007·Health Information and Libraries Journal·Maged N Kamel BoulosSteve Wheeler
Jun 3, 2008·EMBO Reports·Stephen T HuangRobert P Dellavalle

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 26, 2009·Health Information and Libraries Journal·Maria J Grant
Jan 26, 2010·Journal of Medical Internet Research·John WiechaMario Merialdi
Feb 5, 2009·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Maged N Kamel BoulosSusan Toth-Cohen
Feb 20, 2014·Journal of Medical Internet Research·Reza GhanbarzadehAmir Talaei-Khoei
Jun 14, 2014·Journal of Medical Internet Research·Panagiotis E AntoniouPanagiotis D Bamidis
Mar 23, 2012·Australian Critical Care : Official Journal of the Confederation of Australian Critical Care Nurses·Ross BrownPeta Wyeth

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Biosecurity and Bioterrorism : Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science
Peter YellowleesElanor Mangin
Anesthesiology Clinics
Parvati DevLaura Kusumoto
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Leslie BeardJennifer Keelan
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved