Impact of Television Health Programmes on Women: A Study on Gulbarga Television Viewers

Abstract

An attempt has been made to explore and study the consumption pattern in regards to the health programmes on television for women ages above 20. The study also include women’s rationale for watching health-related shows, their perception of the situations portrayed on these shows and also the impact on them based on the sample of 120 respondents in selected areas of Gulbarga city of Karnataka state. The results are discussed and have been observed the types of television programmes are viewed, popularity of different channels and their contents among women and the opinion of health programmes among viewers. The objective of research was to understand the relationship between viewer motives for watching television and interpersonal relationship perceptions. The interpersonal relationship perceptions that were examined included: attachment styles, love styles, and Machiavellianism. This research used both quantitative surveys and focus group interviews as data. The quantitative data analysis produced support of genre specific media effects. First, motives were examined in relation to the television. Watching for positive outcomes was positively related to television viewing and watching for interpersonal outcomes was negatively related. Second, the relationship between television exposure and relationship perceptions was examined. Respondents discussed how health programmes on television made them to be aware of their health condition and also how to remedy for common disease including personal health care. Finally, respondents agreed that health programmes are very helpful for providing information and remedies about certain common disease.