Article Preview
TopIntroduction
The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of a game for mobile phones on the learning activities of Males having Sex with Males (MSM) peer educators, by bridging the gap between their training needs and their real life experiences. An SMS based game on mobile phone was designed as a tool to support their learning. The MSM are marginalised and discriminated groups in India. The game was appropriated given their marginalised existence. The game design used a participatory and iterative approach and was implemented and evaluated among a group of peer educators.
Peer Education
Peer education is described as a horizontal approach that provides an alternative to training by expert professionals, a communication channel to train and support members of the same group as well as change individuals’ knowledge, attitude, beliefs and behaviours (Backett-Milburn, 1995; Shiner, 1999; Backett-Milburn & Wilson, 2000; Goren & Wright, 2006). Areas where peer education is used include young people and sexual health, drug and alcohol use, and smoking cessation. Peer education engages members of a target community such as sex workers, injecting drug users or young people and trains them in health-related information and communication skills, to promote healthy behaviour such as safer sex to their peers (Cornish & Campbell, 2009). Nevertheless, a clear definition of peer education has remained elusive which has often led to an unclear understanding of what it involves and the role of peer educators (Shiner, 1999; National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, 2003). There is little knowledge about what works and what does not. This gap means there is little knowledge about what are the successful criteria for peer education.
Males Having Sex with Males
In India, this enigma is increased by the extreme marginalisation of the peer educators of the MSM population. MSM is a diverse group including males across all social strata and age (Parivartan, 2006; Naz Foundation International, 2007). The terms ‘gay’, ‘homosexual’, ‘eunuch’, transsexual’ are often used as a means to identify one’s sexual desire, preference and activity and not just an MSM identity, that is, the MSM identity might change according to the behaviour one practices. Nonetheless, these behaviours can often be clandestine affairs occurring sporadically, infrequently over a long period of time or even after being married to a woman. In response to the stigmatisation and discrimination of these MSM behaviours, peer education is part of the Indian government’s efforts to prevent and control HIV/AIDS. MSM peer educators are the members of the same group and similarly experience multiple forms of social and legal discrimination (Chakrapani et al., 2002; Gupta, 2006; Thomas et al., 2011). Same sex behaviours are stigmatised in India, leading to this extreme marginalisation and discrimination. The MSM peer educators often face similar discrimination while undertaking outreach work.