Review Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Using Digital Learning Tools During the Ongoing MPOX Response in Africa: Proposing a Strategy

Received: 14 November 2024     Accepted: 27 November 2024     Published: 13 December 2024
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Abstract

On August 14, 2024, the Monkeypox outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) shortly after the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) labelled it a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS). A continental plan to scale up the Mpox outbreak response was launched. The engagement of stakeholders, including health workers, communities, and various other parties, is crucial to the success of this endeavor. Digital learning technologies have significantly improved the efficiency of major public health education campaigns worldwide but in Africa their full potential is not yet harnessed. As digital literacy grows in Africa, people are increasingly able to communicate and receive information using digital platforms. Digital citizenship opens a new era of opportunities and digital citizens represent a pool of remotely accessible individuals. In 2024, over 534 million registered mobile phone subscriptions occurred in sub-Saharan Africa. Our objective was to review the various digital learning methods that health workers and communities could utilize to enhance case management, improve general awareness and literacy on Mpox, then, propose a deployment strategy. Videos shared on social networks, podcasts, thematic websites, virtual learning communities, AI chatbots and MOOCs are available tools. The proposed short-, mid-and long-term strategy will function only if there is a common vision and ownership among all stakeholders, as well as availability of internet connectivity and data assessment.

Published in American Journal of Education and Information Technology (Volume 8, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajeit.20240802.17
Page(s) 122-135
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Mpox Response, Digital Learning Tools, Deployment Strategy

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  • APA Style

    Nana, R. A., Gara, L. J. (2024). Using Digital Learning Tools During the Ongoing MPOX Response in Africa: Proposing a Strategy. American Journal of Education and Information Technology, 8(2), 122-135. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajeit.20240802.17

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    Nana, R. A.; Gara, L. J. Using Digital Learning Tools During the Ongoing MPOX Response in Africa: Proposing a Strategy. Am. J. Educ. Inf. Technol. 2024, 8(2), 122-135. doi: 10.11648/j.ajeit.20240802.17

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    Nana RA, Gara LJ. Using Digital Learning Tools During the Ongoing MPOX Response in Africa: Proposing a Strategy. Am J Educ Inf Technol. 2024;8(2):122-135. doi: 10.11648/j.ajeit.20240802.17

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajeit.20240802.17,
      author = {Rudy Arnaud Nana and Lydia Jummai Gara},
      title = {Using Digital Learning Tools During the Ongoing MPOX Response in Africa: Proposing a Strategy
    },
      journal = {American Journal of Education and Information Technology},
      volume = {8},
      number = {2},
      pages = {122-135},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajeit.20240802.17},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajeit.20240802.17},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajeit.20240802.17},
      abstract = {On August 14, 2024, the Monkeypox outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) shortly after the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) labelled it a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS). A continental plan to scale up the Mpox outbreak response was launched. The engagement of stakeholders, including health workers, communities, and various other parties, is crucial to the success of this endeavor. Digital learning technologies have significantly improved the efficiency of major public health education campaigns worldwide but in Africa their full potential is not yet harnessed. As digital literacy grows in Africa, people are increasingly able to communicate and receive information using digital platforms. Digital citizenship opens a new era of opportunities and digital citizens represent a pool of remotely accessible individuals. In 2024, over 534 million registered mobile phone subscriptions occurred in sub-Saharan Africa. Our objective was to review the various digital learning methods that health workers and communities could utilize to enhance case management, improve general awareness and literacy on Mpox, then, propose a deployment strategy. Videos shared on social networks, podcasts, thematic websites, virtual learning communities, AI chatbots and MOOCs are available tools. The proposed short-, mid-and long-term strategy will function only if there is a common vision and ownership among all stakeholders, as well as availability of internet connectivity and data assessment.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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    VL  - 8
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Author Information
  • Department of Public Education, Center Specializing in the Production of Digital Health Educational Tools, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Department of Public Education, Center Specializing in the Production of Digital Health Educational Tools, Yaounde, Cameroon

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