Information disconnects for people infected with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in the United Kingdom

Abstract

This paper describes the results of an ethnographic   which   set out to generate in-depth knowledge of the real world œlived information experiences, including the complexities and subtleties of HIV/AIDS related information behaviour and the factors that  influence this behaviour  within the context of people affected by HIV/AIDS. The ultimate aim is to determine the potential role that information management could play  in  the  fight against HIV and AIDS.  The focus of this paper is œinformation disconnects, one of the contextual factors that influenced access to and use of HIV and AIDS related information. The results of this investigation are discussed in the context of the feasibility of developing an HIV and AIDS- related information strategy to address the identified information disconnects by guiding the design, management, and dissemination of usable, accurate, reliable and up-to date HIV/ AIDS-related information required to mitigate HIV /AIDS.