Launch Of Campaign Research Articles

Can Media Campaigns Increase Participation in Premarital Education? The Case of the Utah Healthy Marriages Initiative

An increase in public funding for marriage and relationship education is boosting the availability of these services for lower-income couples. This study examines whether a 5-year media campaign embedded in the Utah Healthy Marriages Initiative increased awareness of the Initiative and participation in premarital education. A baseline survey of young adults in Utah, ages 18 to 29, at the launch of the 5-year multimedia campaign was conducted in 2008 and then repeated with an independent cohort in 2013 to assess population change over time. Participants married less than 5 years in 2013 were two to three times more likely to be aware of StrongerMarriage.org and the services it promotes compared with their peers in 2008. In addition, the percentage of persons who participated in premarital education increased from 32% to 39%, but this apparent increase faded away when controls for age and education were included. However, further tests revealed a near significant year-by-education interaction and a trend for year-by-ethnicity interaction, with trends for greater odds of participation only among less-educated participants and non–European American participants, suggesting the campaign's effectiveness in reaching more at-risk populations.

Clinical Decisions Made in Primary Care Clinics Before and After Choosing Wisely

The Choosing Wisely campaign encourages physicians to avoid low-value care. Although widely lauded, no study has examined its impact on clinical decisions made in primary care settings. We compared clinical decisions made for 5 Choosing Wisely recommendations over two 6-month time periods before and after the campaign launch and an educational intervention to promote it at 3 primary care residency clinics. The rate of recommendations adherence was high (93.2%) at baseline but did significantly increase to 96.5% after the launch. These findings suggest primary care physicians respond to training and publicity in low-value care, though further research is needed. Given that even small decreases of physician test ordering can produce large cost savings, the Choosing Wisely project may help achieve the health care triple aim.

A Follow-Up Community Survey of Knowledge and Beliefs About Cancer and Genetics.

The purpose of this study is to assess changes since the launch of the US Surgeon General's campaign in the public's beliefs about the role of genetics in the etiology of cancer, as well as changes in recording family health history. We conducted a survey of 480 Western New York adults, assessing: (1) experiences with cancer, (2) beliefs about cancer and genetics, and (3) practices of recording family health history. Most respondents were aware of the importance of family history. The sample also showed increased knowledge about cancer and genetics compared with a previous survey. However, only 7% kept written records that included medical conditions, which was not different from a previous survey. Time constraints, apathy, and reluctance to find out negative health information were the most reported barriers. Results suggest a need for continued education of the public, with increased emphasis on written family health records.

The U.S. National Tips From Former Smokers Antismoking Campaign: Promoting Awareness of Smoking-Related Risks, Cessation Resources, and Cessation Behaviors.

Evaluate the second flight of the U.S. Tips From Former Smokers (Tips) campaign. Data were analyzed from an online consumer panel of U.S. adult smokers before (n = 1,404) and after (n = 1,401) the 2013 Tips campaign launch. Generalized estimating equation models assessed whether the Tips advertisement recall was associated with knowledge about smoking-related risks in the Tips advertisements, awareness and use of a toll-free quitline and cessation websites, and quit attempts. Seventy-one percent of participants at Wave 2 reported that they recalled seeing at least one Tips advertisement. Smokers who recalled seeing a Tips advertisement were more likely to (a) show increases over baseline in knowledge of health risks such as amputation: 65% versus 34%, p < .001; blindness: 27% versus 12%, p < .001; and (b) to be aware of a quitline (41% vs. 30%, p < .001) and cessation website (28% vs. 20%, p < .001). Recall of Tips advertisements was also associated with greater likelihood of reporting having visited cessation websites (odds ratio [OR] = 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.27-2.06), having called a quitline (OR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.61-3.24), and having made a quit attempt (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.00-1.39), although these results were only statistically significant in the unadjusted models. The 2013 Tips campaign was successful in increasing knowledge of health risks and awareness of tobacco cessation resources.

Towards government-funded special biomedical research programs to combat rare diseases in China.

Rare diseases are rarely conditions that are often debilitating and even life-threatening, which was identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) with a prevalence of 0.65-1‰. 5,000-7,000 rare diseases are thought to exist, which account for around 10% of diseases for individuals worldwide. It is estimated that over 10 million people were patients with rare disease in China. During the past years, public awareness of rare diseases has in fact heightened with the launching of campaigns by patients' organizations and spontaneous efforts by members of the public, not only in developed countries and regions including United States of America (USA), the European Union (EU), and in Japan, but also in China. However, the features of missed or delayed diagnosis, shortage of effective drugs, and the high cost of currently available drugs for rare diseases make it an important public health issue and a challenge to medical care worldwide. To combat rare disease, the government should assume the responsibility of taking on the important task of promoting the sustained development of a system of medical care for and research into rare diseases. Government-funded special biomedical research programs in the USA, EU, and Japan may serve as a reference for China coping with rare diseases. The government-funded special biomedical research programs consisting of leading clinicians and researchers to enhance basic and applied research on rare diseases were expected to be launched in China.

Development and implementation of healthy workplace model in a selected industry of Puducherry, South India.

Background:The workplace is increasingly being used as a setting for health promotion and preventive health activities; not only to prevent occupational injury, but to assess and improve people's overall health.Objective:This study aims at developing and implementing a healthy workplace model in a software industry of Puducherry.Methods:Operations research was carried out in a purposively selected industry in Puducherry. The study was planned in four phases-baseline assessment and risk profiling, intervention, final evaluation and dissemination of results. Baseline evaluation of employees (n = 907) was done by a self-administered questionnaire to collect sociodemographic variables and risk factor profile using noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) LITE Proforma.Results:Healthy workplace committee comprising of several stakeholders was formed, and a formal launch of the health awareness campaign was organized. Broad themes for health education sessions and support activities were identified. Risk profiling of employees showed high levels of risk factors and morbidity-more than 15% were found to be hypertensive and around 55% were obese. Stress and back ache were reported by almost half of the respondents. Modifications in the workplace targeting physical and psychosocial work environment were suggested to the committee, as part of the initiative. This study has demonstrated the feasibility of developing and implementing a healthy workplace model in South India. This model can be replicated or adapted in other industries for health promotion and prevention of NCDs.Conclusion:Dedicated and concerted efforts of the management consistent with the requirements of safety, health and environment at work place with appropriate support from the health system can improve the quality of work and working life.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Coverage among Adolescents Living in Southern Italy

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate HPV vaccination coverage in the target population residing in Sicily, five years after launch of the vaccination campaign, and to analyze its organization in this region. Methods: Regional data as at 31 December 2013, grouped by province, issued by the Regional Health Authority were used. The organization and information materials of the campaign were also assessed (letters, posters, brochures, etc.). Results: The results for Sicily show uptake rates for three doses of HPV vaccination of 56.5%, 55.8%, 58.2%, 55.3% for cohorts born in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 respectively, and 56.4% for cohorts born in 1996. These figures highlight the problems encountered during the promotion campaign and vaccination provision. Conclusions: Vaccine uptake in Sicily was lower than national figures for Italy as a whole for all cohorts and both fall far short of the targets set by the National Immunization Prevention Plan 2012-2014. In order to promote vaccination uptake and improve coverage, at both regional and local level, the quality of information should be improved and more communication campaigns be instigated to increase the involvement of professionals.

Political Awareness and Self-Blame in the Explanatory Narratives of LGBT People Amid the Anti-LGBT Campaign in Russia

How do homo- and bisexual people explain the launch of a homophobia campaign that violates their basic human rights? Which narratives do they use to adjust to the hostile environment? On the basis of 77 in-depth problem-centered interviews with LGBT in Russia we explore the explanations they use to talk about their experience of a homophobia campaign. Respondents demonstrate their awareness of the political reasoning behind the campaign and explain it as a tool for electoral mobilization, the repression of pro-Western oriented opposition and as a part of biopolitical technologies adopted by the government to increase its control over people’s bodies and minds. Contrary to intuitive expectations, this political awareness does not protect the informants from self-blame, social escapism and moral suffering.

Response of Various Stakeholders towards Newly Introduced Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine in a North Indian State

Introduction. Many attempts had been made to introduce newer vaccines into national immunization schedule of India. Special vaccines campaigns for diseases like JE were also initiated, which required a lot of preparation before vaccinating the beneficiaries. Objectives. To ascertain response of various stakeholders regarding launch of Japanese encephalitis vaccination campaign by state government in district Ambala, Haryana. Methodology. A 30-cluster survey was done to assess the vaccine coverage and views of the stakeholders. Various officials of state health services were also interviewed. Results. JE vaccine coverage was found to be 93.9%. Majority (59.8%) of the parents were informed about JE vaccination by the health worker. Many (83; 41.7%) parents said that they got their child vaccinated for JE since it “endangers life of children” and 82 (41.2%) said that “since everybody got it.” All the staff was trained for JE vaccination campaign. Conclusion. JE vaccination campaign was a success with adequate preparation. Majority of people accepted vaccine in good faith in the government rather than due to their knowledge about disease.

Saving Lives through visual health communication: A multidisciplinary team approach

Introduction: Saving Lives is a public health awareness charity that aims to educate the UK public about HIV and encourage testing for the virus.In May 2011 Saving Lives contacted the Medical Illustration department at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust to discuss the idea of working together to develop a national HIV awareness campaign.Methods: A number of local sporting celebrities were invited to a studio photography session. All the sports stars and celebrities were photographed on a Mamiya 645 AFDII camera, with PhaseOne P30 + digital back, using prime 35mm, 55mm and 80mm lenses. During the photography sessions, the team's film maker captured video footage of the subjects being photographed. Once the final avengers’ graphical composition had been created, it was applied to the posters, billboards and public transport signs for the campaign.Results: In the three-month period following the campaign launch, survey research was carried out, the initial data being recorded by a questionnaire which was provided to each of the 1800 patients attending the Heartlands Hospital sexual health clinic for HIV testing.Conclusion: Following the launch of the initial campaign, the Saving Lives team continues to produce material to assist in the promotion of the charity and its message. Its success has led to it becoming an on-going long-term project, and to date the team have photographed and filmed 33 sporting stars and visited numerous sporting institutes.

Camels and Colonial Armies: The Logistics of Warfare in Central Asia in the Early 19th Century

This article explores the use of camels for baggage transport by European colonial armies in the nineteenth century. It focuses in particular on two episodes: the Russian winter expedition to Khiva, and the march of the Army of the Indus into Afghanistan, both of which took place in 1839. However sophisticated their weapons and other technology, until at least the 1880s European colonial armies were forced to rely exclusively on baggage animals if they wanted to move around: railways arrived very late in the history of European expansion. In Central Asia this meant rounding up, loading, managing and feeding tens of thousands of camels, which could only be furnished by the pastoral groups who inhabited the region, who in some cases were also the objects of conquest. Camel transport placed certain structural constraints on European conquest in Central Asia: firstly it meant that the forces involved were almost always very small; secondly it prevented the launching of spontaneous or unauthorised campaigns by “men on the spot,” as every advance had to be preceded by the rounding up of the necessary baggage animals, and the creation of a budget to pay for then. Finally, the constraints imposed by camel transport ensured that British and Russian armies would never meet in Central Asia, and that a Russian invasion of India was a chimera.

An exploratory review of HIV prevention mass media campaigns targeting men who have sex with men.

BackgroundMen who have sex with men (MSM) are at increased risk of HIV infection in both high- and low-income settings. Mass media campaigns have been used as a means of communicating HIV health promotion messages to large audiences of MSM. There is no consensus on which designs are most appropriate to evaluate the process and outcomes of such interventions.MethodsAn exploratory review was conducted to assess research examining awareness, acceptability, effects on HIV testing, disclosure and sexual risk, and cost-effectiveness of HIV mass media campaigns targeting MSM. We searched for quantitative and qualitative studies published between 1990 and May 2011 via the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Psych Info, ISI Web of Science, OpenGrey and COPAC, and contacting experts. No exclusions were made on the basis of study design or methods because our primary aim was to map evidence. We appraised study quality and present a narrative synthesis of findings.ResultsSixteen reports from 12 studies were included. All were from high-income countries and most examined multi-media interventions. Half of the studies were single cross-sectional surveys. Three repeat cross-sectional studies collected data pre and post the campaign launch. The remaining three studies monitored routine data. Three studies included a nested qualitative component. Campaign coverage was the most commonly reported outcome (9 studies). Imagery, tone of language, content and relevance were identified in the qualitative research as factors influencing campaign acceptability. HIV testing rates (or intention to test) were reported by five studies. Two studies reported that testing rates were higher among men who had seen the campaigns compared to men who had not, but this may reflect confounding. Findings were less consistent regarding reductions in sexual risk behaviours (4 studies). None of the studies examined cost-effectiveness.ConclusionsCampaigns aim to provide MSM with information to help prevent transmission of HIV and to address increasing motivation and changing norms towards precautionary behaviours. However, the limitations of mass media in imparting skills in effecting behaviour change should be recognised, and campaigns supplemented by additional components may be better-suited to achieving these goals.

The Irish national stroke awareness campaign: a stroke of success?

IntroductionMass media campaigns are widely used to expose large populations to health-risk behaviour messages through routine uses of media. The Act F.A.S.T stroke campaign, which highlights the symptoms of stroke, has been endorsed globally. The aim of this study was to identify the influence of the campaign on the general public in Ireland. MethodsDescriptive pre and post comparative study design was conducted. Phase one was conducted in April 2010 prior to the campaign. Data were collected on a cross-section of the public (n=1925) to obtain baseline information on stroke warning signs. Phase two involved collecting data from participants (n=688) 18months after the campaign launch. ResultsThe majority of participants from both phases were between 30 and 50 years of age. Results from phase two reported that 93% heard or saw the campaign yet only 37% could recall the campaign name or the slogan. Post the campaign over 80% recognized the warning signs of stroke. The increase in symptom recognition is evident from pre campaign to post campaign with an increase in knowledge across all the stroke symptoms. Post the campaign there was an increase of 54% of who stated that they would go straight to hospital for stroke symptoms. ConclusionFindings suggest the campaign was well executed given the high percentage of participants recall and the increase in the recognition of stroke symptoms. However, the influence of the campaign in changing behaviour was not as evident. Further research is needed to examine factors that influence behaviour when a stroke strikes.

Local news media framing of obesity in the context of a sugar-sweetened beverage reduction media campaign.

This study examined local news media's framing of obesity preceding and surrounding the Philadelphia sugar-sweetened beverage reduction media campaign. Using key search terms pertaining to obesity and sugary beverages, the authors searched the LexisNexis database and gathered local news stories (n = 167) that were aired or published between October, 2010 and March, 2011. They conducted a content analysis, coding for framing-related outcome measures (underlying factors, action steps, and contextual agents). Overall, the news media employed individual-level framing in the majority of stories when discussing obesity, both before and after the campaign launch. After the campaign launched, however, stories were significantly more likely to mention systemic-level contextual agents such as food companies (P = .008), beverage companies (P = .03), and champions or advocates (P = .001). The researchers observed a shift in the local news media discourse toward more thematic framing of obesity, and suggest that public health officials consider the potential impact of news media frames on garnering public support for future policy implementations.

Spread the word about provider status: Pharmacists Provide Care

APhA's number one priority is seeking the recognition of pharmacists as health care providers who, through their patient care services, improve the access, quality, and value of health care. The campaign to promote pharmacist provider status, Pharmacists Provide Care, is being unveiled right here, right now at the 2014 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition. During APhA2014, pharmacists and student pharmacists can learn about provider status; share their patient care stories; and attend provider status education sessions, including the Second General Session and a three-part series on the issue.

Lincoln Financial Group's innovative inside-out brand campaign launch pays huge dividends

In 2011, Lincoln Financial Group was preparing to launch a new brand campaign. Despite the ongoing level of distrust consumers had following the global financial crisis of 2008, Lincoln viewed the new campaign as an opportunity to build a brand that would not only increase awareness and engagement externally, but also connect and celebrate internally. Following an intensive research process, the You're in Charge® message and Chief Life Officer® campaign were born. With a long-term focus on delivering a differentiated brand experience in the marketplace, Lincoln broke from the traditional campaign launch mould by debuting the campaign first to employees — one week before its launch to consumers. Proprietary quantitative and qualitative research has showed that the inside-out approach worked. In fact, the You're In Charge® campaign continues to empower consumers and employees alike, creating greater engagement and closer connection to the company.

Human Brucellosis in Northwest Ecuador: TypifyingBrucellaspp., Seroprevalence, and Associated Risk Factors

Human brucellosis in Ecuador is underreported and based only on passive surveillance. Since 2008, brucellosis was removed from the list of communicable diseases in the country. Until now, the true human brucellosis picture has not yet been determined. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of the disease, identify risk factors associated with brucellosis seropositivity in humans, and isolate circulating strains of Brucella spp. in the northwestern part of Ecuador. Between 2006 and 2008, a large transect survey was conducted, based on blood sampling of people from the northwestern part of Ecuador (n=3733) together with an epidemiological inquiry. On the basis of three diagnostic tests used in parallel, the overall seroprevalence was estimated as 1.88% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48-2.38). Based on a multivariable random effects logistic regression analysis, the main risk factors associated with human brucellosis seropositivity were contact with livestock (odds ratio [OR]=3.0; CI 1.25-7.08), consumption of fetus and placenta (OR=2.5; CI 1.18-5.22), and involvement in activities at risk for brucellosis infection (OR=1.8; CI 1.00-3.35). Noticeable variation in brucellosis seropositivity among humans within cantons was observed. The circulating strain was Brucella abortus biotype 4. This study emphasized that contact with livestock, consumption of fetus and placenta, and occupational hazard group were all significant risk factors for the transmission of brucellosis among individuals in the northwestern part of Ecuador. Alongside encouraging the launching of educational campaigns against brucellosis, especially in rural areas where 36% of the population lives, controlling this zoonotic disease in animals will directly benefit its prevention in humans, especially because there is no safe and efficacious vaccine against brucellosis in humans.

Another time point, a different story: one year effects of a social media intervention on the attitudes of young people towards mental health issues

This study extends an evaluation of a brief, social media intervention, called In One Voice, for raising mental health awareness and improving attitudes of youth and young adults towards mental health issues. A successive independent samples design assessed market penetration and attitudinal changes among the young people who completed an online questionnaire 1year after (T3: n=438) the intervention. This is compared with two samples that completed a survey either immediately before (T1: n=403) or 2months after (T2: n=403) the campaign launch. The proportion of respondents who remembered the campaign grew from 24.8% at T2 to 48.6% at T3. Elevated website activity on mindcheck.ca was sustained 1year after In One Voice had ended. Small but significant reductions in personal stigma and social distance were detected from T1 and T3, which were not observed at T2. Respondents' self-rated ability to help others with mental health issues and to engage in positive behaviors relating to mental health issues (e.g., seeking information) did not improve significantly from T1 to T3. Improved attitudes towards mental health issues were observed among young people 1year following a brief social media campaign. The campaign was less effective at providing the tools young people need to feel capable of helping someone who may be experiencing mental health issues, and motivating them to engage in constructive behaviors related to mental health.

The 2008 Food Summit: A political response to the food price crisis in Gauteng province, South Africa

In responding to food price riots and other unrest in 2008, Gauteng province in South Africa hosted a two-day Food Summit attended by 4000 delegates. Summit invitees expected to be consulted on issues of concern about food prices, but the government instead responded with the message that the poor must be self-sufficient and grow their own food (via the Ilima/Letsema campaign launch), an impractical suggestion in a crisis. The timing of the 2008 Summit in relation to major changes within the African National Congress and the looming 2009 national election in South Africa leads to a conclusion that the Summit was a political event designed to build political capital ahead of the elections, rather than a genuine stakeholder consultation event linked to food security. Findings of this study indicated that food security planning in Gauteng is exclusionary through its rural bias and excludes, for example, urban dwellers and foreign migrants. Also, at that time, Gauteng would have been underprepared for a genuine food emergency as there was no working provincial strategy to deal with urban food security or a severe food crisis.

Cervical cancer prevention campaign using an integrated marketing communication approach in Korea

In many countries including the UK, France and Germany, the cervical cancer vaccination is now considered indispensable, however in Korea this is not the case. Hye-jin Sun of Tongmyong University in South Korea looks at the importance of using marketing to promote preventative activities as part of cervical cancer prevention campaign strategies.The number of deaths due to cervical cancer amounts to 250,000 per year worldwide. The incidence rate of cervical cancer in advanced countries has decreased thanks to effective screening tests. However, it remains high in developing countries including those in Asia, with patients in these countries accounting for 80% of all cases.1 As cervical cancer can be prevented through regular checkups and vaccinations, it is important that women understand steps they can take to prevent the disease. In Korea, cervical cancer is the fifth most common cancer among females. Recently, the ratio of young female patients under the age of 35 years has increased. As a result, campaigns to promote preventive activities such as regular checkups and vaccination have been actively implemented.Case reportCancer communication, which is part of health communication, occurs through social support sources such as doctors, neighbours, family members and friends, as well as via education by media channels such as television, the internet, posters, and outdoor advertising.2In Korea, campaigns for cervical cancer prevention and checkups were first implemented in 2008 with the launch of the Stop CC TV public relations campaign by the Korean Cancer Association, in which celebrities appeared as models. This was followed in 2010 by the Purple Ribbon Campaign, conducted by the Korea Health Promotion Foundation and sponsored by Samsung Life Insurance Company Limited, the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Genecology, and the Life Insurance Social Contribution Committee. The color purple symbolizes nobility, so purple ribbons were adopted as a symbol of the campaign to encourage women to think about the preciousness of the uterus, an organ important to women, and to actively participate in efforts to prevent cervical cancer.3 As part of the campaign, a women's marathon was held to draw public attention to cervical cancer prevention. Advertisements were broadcast through MBC and CBS radio broadcasting stations, and promotional material containing messages encouraging women to have regular checkups to prevent cervical cancer were attached to subway car units and buses operating in the capital area.According to the results of a survey of Korean women's use of obstetrics and gynecology clinics, Korean women hesitated before they visit obstetrics and gynecology clinics for the first time because of their fear of treatment per se (67.9%) or social views (21.6%).4 Considering those women who had psychological reservations about visiting obstetrics and gynecology clinics in person, the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology conducted offline onsite counselling at open-air cafes in which specialists counselled women about cervical cancer prevention. In addition, the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology effectively utilized Twitter and Me2day, which are online SNS channels, to induce active communication between doctors and women. The Korea Health Promotion Foundation recruited cervical cancer prevention supporters from those who were participating in online community activities and had them conduct online activities aimed at improving people's perception of cervical cancer and boosting preventive activities based on contents provided by the foundation.Social media can quickly propagate content and utilize relations between users, have a continuous influence, and easily approach target groups at relatively low costs compared to existing media. Thus, it is more efficient than other media in terms of time and costs.5 The utilization of Twitter can promote realtime communication and participation and provide persuasive messages regarding activities to prevent cervical cancer. …