Mass Communication Campaigns Research Articles

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Agricultural Extension Methods in Logar Province, Afghanistan

Agricultural extension can accelerate the transfer and exchange of information that becomes applied knowledge, improve the quantity and quality of agricultural products, enhance the competitiveness of farmers using new technology and information, improve the production and marketing management of agricultural products are the result of a better chosen method of extension. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of individual, group and mass communication methods of agricultural extension in Pol-e-Alam city. The research is applied in terms of purpose. Primary data was used for conducting research. The data was collected by survey using a questionnaire, in a simple random sampling in 2023. The sample size was 80 persons. SPSS 21 was used for data analyze. The findings showed that group methods (41.25%) had the highest, individual methods (35.0%) and mass communication methods (23.75%) had the least effectiveness. In the group methods, results exhibition (28.75%) with the highest value, the method's exhibition (23.75%), Group Discussion (21.25%), Small Group Training (13.75%) and Observational tours (12.5%) with the lowest amount by respondents were considered effective. In the individual methods, farm visits (77.50%) were in first and telephone calls (3.75%) were in fifth order. In the mass communication methods, the demonstrations and campaigns (45.0%) with the highest weight and the TV (5%) with the lowest weight were selected by the respondents.

Understanding COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the Hispanic adult population of South Carolina: a complex mixed-method design evaluation study

BackgroundIn August 2021, only 47.6% of all eligible residents in South Carolina (SC) had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with only 41% having completed their vaccination series. Additionally, only 27% of all Hispanics in SC had completed their vaccination series compared to 34.1% of non-Hispanics. Vaccine hesitancy is a complex phenomenon that is context and vaccine-specific. Focusing on unvaccinated Hispanics living in rural areas of SC, this study aimed to identify barriers to vaccination and provide an educational intervention designed to address vaccine hesitancy.MethodsA complex mixed-methods evaluation design was used to conduct this study. First, in-person vaccine educational sessions were implemented, along with a pre-post-test survey, to assess changes in knowledge, attitudes, motivations, barriers, and intentions to receive COVID-19 vaccination. Second, in-person follow-up focus groups were held with the same participants to gather in-depth insight about participants’ knowledge and attitudes about the COVID-19 vaccination. Third, an online follow-up survey was conducted to assess the effect of the training and discussion session on COVID-19 vaccination. Study outcomes were assessed among the 17 individuals who participated in the educational sessions and focus group discussions.ResultsFindings revealed that for unvaccinated Hispanics living in South Carolina; vaccine hesitancy was primarily driven by: 1) misinformation and information coming from unverified sources and 2) negative perceptions of the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines. Specifically, participants were fearful that the vaccine development was rushed and that the vaccines might contain questionable ingredients that could cause strong side effects or even death. Participants were also concerned that vaccination might cause them to get sick and be hospitalized, which would have financial implications since they could not afford healthcare or take time off work.ConclusionsProgram implementation and mass communication campaigns should focus on COVID-19 vaccine safety and effectiveness, including side effects, what to expect after being vaccinated, and how to look for information from reputable sources. The educational session implemented proved to be effective and helped reduce vaccine hesitancy since most participants (80%) self-reported receiving a COVID-19 vaccine after program participation.

Intervention design in public health: adaptive messaging in the Tanzanian National Sanitation Campaign.

Few case studies exist in the public health or design literatures showing how to create national scale messaging campaigns in low-income countries using design processes. In this paper, we describe how we used Behaviour Centred Design to develop Nyumba ni choo, the Tanzanian National Sanitation Campaign. The process involved multiple iterations of ideation and filtration by professional creatives, government staff, academics and sanitation specialists to create a branded mass communication campaign, which was refreshed annually. The campaign was based on the insight that Tanzania is modernizing rapidly, with people upgrading their homes, but leaving their outside toilets in a 'traditional' state. Built around the 'big idea' that a household is not fully modern without a good-quality, modern toilet, the campaign employed reality TV shows, live engagements and mass and digital media postings, all targeted at motivating both the government and general population to improve toilets. The campaign has made toilets a topic of national conversation and has led to a major uptick in the rate of toilet building. Efforts to improve public health-related behaviour can be enhanced by using systematic approaches that build on available evidence, understand behaviour in its common settings, employ psychological theory and engage creative expertise.

Moral Foundations, Ideological Divide, and Public Engagement with U.S. Government Agencies’ COVID-19 Vaccine Communication on Social Media

ABSTRACT Guided by moral foundation theory, this study examined how moral framing interacted with local constituents’ ideological leaning to affect public engagement outcomes of government agencies’ COVID-19 vaccine communication on Facebook. We analyzed a dataset of over 5,000 U.S. government agencies’ Facebook posts on COVID-19 vaccines in 2021 (N = 70,671), assessed their use of moral language using a newly developed computational method, and examined how political divide manifests itself at the collective level. Findings from both fixed and random effects models suggest that: 1) the use of moral language is positively associated with public engagement outcomes on government agencies’ social media accounts; 2) five types of moral foundations have distinct effects on three types of public engagement (affective, cognitive, and retransmission); 3) moral foundations and local politics interact to affect public engagement, in that followers of government agencies in liberal states/counties prefer messages emphasizing the care/harm and fairness/cheating dimensions while those in conservative states/counties prefer the loyalty/betrayal dimension. The study demonstrates how a strategic employment of moral language can contribute to public engagement of government agencies’ mass communication campaigns.

Analysis of the Impact of Communication Campaigns under the Project "Syphilis No": A National Tool for Inducing and Promoting Health.

Syphilis is increasingly prevalent around the world as a result of complex factors. In Brazil, the government declared a syphilis epidemic in 2016 and then set a strategic agenda to respond to this serious public health problem. In a joint effort, Brazil's Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) recommended that novel and diversified health communication strategies should be developed, which the "Syphilis No" project (SNP) later conducted through nationwide mass communication campaigns. We performed exploratory data analysis to identify and understand the results of three health communication campaigns by considering syphilis data trends in Brazil. The SNP, by using traditional and innovative means of communication, focused on multiple target audiences to encourage behavior changes through awareness and syphilis knowledge acquisition via the internet. In addition, the SNP disseminated information on syphilis testing, prevention, and treatment through social media and multiple media outlets. We observed that the period of the health campaigns corresponded to the period when the syphilis testing uptake increased and the number of reported cases dropped. Thus, our findings indicate that public health responses could substantially benefit from the use of health communication campaigns as a tool for health promotion, education, and transformation.

The Empowerment of Women in Tamil Nadu: A Multi-Dimensional Approach

The advancement of women's political, social, economic, and health status, together with their increased autonomy and empowerment, is a very significant goal in and of itself. Furthermore, achieving sustainable growth depends on it. Every aspect of productive and reproductive life, including shared responsibility for the upkeep of the home and the care and rearing of children, requires the full participation and partnership of both men and women. Because of their excessive workloads, lack of authority, and influence, women over the world are threatened with losing their lives, their health, and their general well-being. Women typically obtain less formal education than men around the world, yet at the same time, their own skills, knowledge, and coping techniques are frequently undervalued. Power dynamics that prevent women from leading healthy and satisfying lives exist at all societal levels, from the most intimate to the most visible. To effect change, policy and programme actions are required that will increase women's access to stable employment and financial resources, lessen their heavy domestic burdens, remove any legal barriers to their participation in public life, and increase social awareness through efficient education and mass communication campaigns. The position of women also affects their ability to make decisions at all levels and in all areas of life, particularly in relation to sexuality and reproduction. To ensure the long-term effectiveness of population programmes, this is also crucial. Experience has shown that initiatives aimed at advancing women's position have the greatest impact on population and development programmes.

Exploring the impact of Quebec’s vaccine lottery and vaccine passports on Covid-19 vaccination intention: Findings from repeated cross-sectional surveys

ABSTRACT In Quebec, during the summer of 2021, different strategies to enhance COVID-19 vaccine uptake were implemented (e.g. mobile vaccination clinics, mass communication campaigns, home vaccination). The aim was that at least 75% of 12 years and older individuals receive two doses of COVID-19 vaccines before the fall. This article explores the impact of incentives and disincentive strategies on Quebecers’ intention to be vaccinated against COVID-19. A series of cross-sectional surveys have been ongoing in Quebec since March 2020 to measure Quebecers’ attitudes and behaviors during the pandemic. In July and August 2021, in addition to sociodemographic information, the survey assessed COVID-19 risks perceptions, adherence to and perception of recommended measures (e.g. masks, physical distancing, vaccine lottery, vaccine passport) as attitudes and intention toward COVID-19 vaccines. Descriptive statistics were generated. Between July 9 to September 1, the vaccine uptake (two doses) rose from 62% to 88%. Among respondents who were unvaccinated during the period, 32% reported a positive influence of the lottery on their intention to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and 39% for the vaccine passport. Approximately half (51%) of unvaccinated respondents reported no influence from the two measures, and both positively influenced 20%. The vaccine lottery had a limited impact on willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccines among unvaccinated adults in Quebec, but the implementation of the vaccine passport appears more influential based on survey respondents’ responses.

Mapping strategy for health and wellbeing community assets in the city of Buenos Aires

implementing an asset model in large urban territories is a great challenge. The objective was to develop and evaluate community asset (CA) mapping strategies in a large city. mixed technique, in phases. At first, community resources (CR) were collected through interviews with key informants, search of information sources and field surveys with university students and community volunteers in some pilot neighborhoods. In the second phase, a mass communication campaign was carried out to disseminate the collaborative virtual map. Assets were validated according to eligibility criteria. Campaign evaluation was carried out through indicators of visualization, interaction and participation. In a third phase, community work in the field was reinforced in different neighborhoods. 1144 CR and CA were identified, all of them validated, classified and grouped into five categories. A month after launching the communication campaign "#MeHaceBienMiBarrio," it had been broadcast in the main media in the country. In just two weeks, 120,383 people had been reached with the news on Facebook, and 9,213 had interacted. By then, the map had more than 23,000 views and 87 new community assets were received. The participation rate fell as diffusion decreased. The first stage was positive in terms of dissemination and interaction with the map. Field work is essential to sustain and enhance results.

A description of Chilean food and nutrition health policies.

Chile has implemented numerous successful food and nutrition initiatives since the early 20th century, aiming to address malnutrition in all its forms. To summarize the major nutrition and food-related policies, strategies, and programs implemented in Chile, using the NOURI-SHING Framework. The NOURISHING framework proposes a methodology for reporting, monitoring, and categorizing actions to promote healthier eating in three main domains: food environment, food system and behavior change communication. The data collection was carried out reviewing the databases of the Chilean Ministries of Health, Education and Social Development, and the Parliament. Information about nutrition related public health policies, strategies or programs was obtained from peer reviewed articles, official reports, official State websites, as well as interviews with former and current stakeholders. Chile has mandatory nutritional labeling that was updated to front-of-package warning labels about critical nutrients. In addition, the advertising of unhealthy foods and breast milk substitutes is restricted, among other food and nutrition policies. Nevertheless, strategies related to mass and social media communication campaigns, or periodic education and information interventions still need to be implemented. Using the NOURISHING framework, a comprehensive summary and description of nutrition and food public health policies implemented in Chile is described. An overview of the policy changes required according to the nutritional needs of the population and the nutritional transition in Chile is provided.

The Impact of Mass Media-Delivered Family Planning Campaigns in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Meta-Analysis of Advertising and Entertainment-Education Format Effects.

Effective family planning methods are shown to save lives, contribute to gender equality, and boost economic development. Mass media communication campaigns in low- and middle-income countries have been effective in increasing contraceptive use, although the strategies that increase the likelihood of success are unclear. The present study uses meta-analyses to uncover the average effect of media campaigns on family planning behaviors in low- and middle-income countries and to examine the effectiveness of two communication strategies: entertainment-education and advertising/public service announcements. Results indicated that mass media-delivered family planning campaigns have a positive impact on family planning behaviors: d = 0.19, 95% CI [0.15, 0.24] for women (k = 64), d = 0.16, 95% CI [0.11, 0.21] for men (k = 27), and d = 0.20, 95% CI [0.17, 0.23] for an undifferentiated target group of men and women (k = 37). The use of an entertainment-education format, often in addition to campaign advertising messages, was associated with greater campaign success rates for women. Men, however, responded negatively to education-entertainment and positively to campaigns using only advertising and public service announcement formats. Recommendations for future family planning mass media campaigns and academic research opportunities are discussed.

Changer de paradigmes de communication sur le VIH en Afrique

RésuméNous avons mené en Côte d’Ivoire une étude socio-anthropologique sur la base de laquelle nous proposons une stratégie de communication pour augmenter la demande de tests de dépistage du VIH, notamment chez les jeunes hommes. L’étude montre que l’existence et la fonction du test sont largement connues, que la peur de la mort et de la stigmatisation est le principal obstacle au passage du test, que les hommes sont davantage réticents au test que les femmes et que la peur de la mort liée au sida est particulièrement forte chez les jeunes. La perception des traitements du VIH est contradictoire: une majorité d’enquêtés les connaissent et disent qu’ils permettent de vivre en bonne santé, mais le VIH est toujours fréquemment associé à la mort. Nous préconisons une reprise de la communication de masse sur le VIH, abandonnée au profit de programmes ciblés, afin d’expliquer les traitements, de modifier l’image de l’infection à VIH et d’encourager ainsi toutes les personnes sexuellement actives à passer le test, surtout celles qui ont couru un risque d’infection. Nous préconisons également des messages ciblés en direction des hommes.

COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance by Patients Attending a Primary Health Care Facility in Durban

Introduction: There is no specific treatment and vaccine for COVID-19 yet. The prospective vaccine is the primary prevention and is the promising preventive strategy to gain herd immunity. The study aimed to identify COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate among primary health care attendees at Durban, South Africa. Method: A questionnaire based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Kwadabeka Community Health Centre, Durban, South Africa. Chi-square test and logistic regression were carried out to identify the factors for COVID-19 vaccine acceptability. P-values <0.05 were reported and considered statistically significant. Results: Almost two-thirds (61.4%) of the participants reported that they would accept a COVID-19 vaccine. Logistic regression analysis found that respondents’ attitude on whether “COVID-19 pandemic will be dealt with successfully” was 2.3 times more likely to accept the vaccine (OR=2.3, 95% CI: 1.3-3.8, p<0.05) and good practice on “use of a face mask to public places were 3 times more likely to accept the vaccine (OR=3.0, 95% CI: 1.5-6.1, P<0.05). On the contrary, knowledge on “only elderly people die from COVID-19 (False)” revealed that 44% were less likely to accept the vaccine (OR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.33-0.95, P<0.05) and practice on social distance “keep a distance of 1-2 m in public places” was 69% less likely to accept the vaccine (OR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.15-0.63, p<0.05). Conclusion: The COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate is comparable with other studies. However, community-based studies and a mass educational and communication campaign to promote the COVID-19 vaccination coverage to the general population are recommended.

Be Wise - Condomise

The paper is based on a Master’s thesis that investigated how different organisations in Botswana inform people about AIDS. The thesis also addressed how some receivers of the AIDS information experience it. The study was conducted through interviews and observations. The findings revealed that the organisations and the information-receivers do not always have the same perception of the best ways to inform people about AIDS. Mass communication campaigns were most often used, but the young women studied preferred to be informed on a more personal level. A discussion about HIV/AIDS and school libraries follows.

Does it matter if a story character lives or dies?: a message experiment comparing survivor and death narratives

Objective In narratives, characters often face threats where they either live (survivor narratives) or die (death narratives). Both outcomes have the potential to persuade, and are frequently utilised in mass communication campaigns, yet more research is needed examining the relative effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of each strategy. Design U.S. adults (N = 1010) were randomly assigned to a 2 (survivor, death) × 2 (non-foreshadowed, foreshadowed) × 2 (within-study replication: narrative 1, narrative 2) between-participants experiment with melanoma stories as stimuli. Main Outcome Measures Intentions to engage in sun safe behaviour and skin self-examination behaviour were assessed in the pre- and posttest, and then transformed into change scores. Results Death narratives increased sun safe behaviour intentions. Consistent with the entertainment overcoming resistance model, foreshadowed death narratives were found to increase sun safe behaviour intentions via increased transportation and decreased counterarguing. Conclusion Compared to survivor narratives, death narratives increase intentions to engage in sun safe behaviour. The findings offer support for character death as a key feature of narrative persuasion, and narrative transportation and counterarguing as important mediational pathways.

Physical activity promotion in the age of climate change.

The importance of the global climate crisis requires linking physical activity promotion and climate action. This article provides a first overview of interconnections between physical activity promotion and climate action, potential synergies and discrepancies, aiming to stimulate further discussion about this topic. The analysis is based on the World Health Organization's Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030 (GAPPA). The GAPPA covers five perspectives that are of particular relevance with respect to potential links with climate policy: (1) Infrastructures supporting active transport, (2) green spaces and recreational/exercise facilities, (3) exercise programs, (4) mass communication campaigns and mass participation events and (5) training of professionals. Our analysis demonstrates a considerable alignment between strategies for physical activity promotion and efforts for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. However, in some of the areas, this alignment could still be improved. Additionally, more climate-conscious policies, research and surveillance need to be developed in the field of physical activity promotion.

Physical activity promotion in the age of climate change

The importance of the global climate crisis requires linking physical activity promotion and climate action. This article provides a first overview of interconnections between physical activity promotion and climate action, potential synergies and discrepancies, aiming to stimulate further discussion about this topic. The analysis is based on the World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030 (GAPPA). The GAPPA covers five perspectives that are of particular relevance with respect to potential links with climate policy: (1) Infrastructures supporting active transport, (2) green spaces and recreational/exercise facilities, (3) exercise programs, (4) mass communication campaigns and mass participation events and (5) training of professionals. Our analysis demonstrates a considerable alignment between strategies for physical activity promotion and efforts for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. However, in some of the areas, this alignment could still be improved. Additionally, more climate-conscious policies, research and surveillance need to be developed in the field of physical activity promotion.

On Changing Beliefs in the Closed Human Mind

ABSTRACT About a hundred years ago, the world was faced with a pandemic that would ultimately infect 500 million people and kill 50 million. Today, we face a potentially similar situation. Although at times like these, the discipline of communication is essential to promoting public health and welfare through its knowledge of persuasive messaging and mass communication campaigns, to increase our effectiveness, we need to be more aware of and better account for the influence of political ideology on response to messaging. In this essay, I look to lessons from the foundation of our discipline and draw on a variety of ideas across psychology, cognitive science, and linguistics to suggest a way forward.

Uruguayan Citizens’ Perception of Messages to Promote Healthy Eating Through the Use of Nutritional Warnings

To explore the specific type of messages people consider most appropriate for a mass communication campaign aimed to promote healthy eating in the context of the implementation of nutritional warnings. Online study including multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Uruguay, 1 of the Latin American countries with the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity. A total of 859 participants were recruited using social media. They were diverse in terms of gender, age, educational level, socioeconomic status, and self-reported body mass index. Participants were presented with 3 series of messages and were asked to select the 1 they perceived as the most appropriate and to provide a brief explanation for their selection. Descriptive statistics for the multiple-choice questions and inductive coding for the responses to the open-ended questions. Participants tended to prefer messages that conveyed a cue to action for achieving changes to their perceived ability to make healthful food choices. Although messages related to the promotion of informed food choices were the most frequently preferred, messages related to negative health consequences and health benefits were also selected repetitively. Communication campaigns aimed at promoting healthy eating through the use of nutritional warnings could include different contents to target specific segments with different motivations.

Physical activity promotion in the age of climate change

The importance of the global climate crisis requires linking physical activity promotion and climate action. This article provides a first overview of interconnections between physical activity promotion and climate action, potential synergies and discrepancies, aiming to stimulate further discussion about this topic. The analysis is based on the World Health Organization's Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030 (GAPPA). The GAPPA covers five perspectives that are of particular relevance with respect to potential links with climate policy: (1) Infrastructures supporting active transport, (2) green spaces and recreational/exercise facilities, (3) exercise programs, (4) mass communication campaigns and mass participation events, and (5) training of professionals. Our analysis demonstrates a considerable alignment between strategies for physical activity promotion and efforts for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. However, in some of the areas, this alignment could still be improved. Additionally, more climate-conscious policies, research and surveillance need to be developed in the field of physical activity promotion.

Factors shaping mother-child interaction in post-Soviet countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia

ABSTRACT Previous research has demonstrated a positive and long-running effect of mother-child interaction on numerous areas of child development. Yet, most of what is currently known derives from research on children in Western countries. Employing data from recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) on women (ages 15–49), this study examined factors shaping mother-child interaction across the post-Soviet countries of Belarus (N = 3,413), Georgia (N = 2,004), Kazakhstan (N = 5,084), Kyrgyzstan (N = 4,272), Moldova (N = 1,744), Tajikistan (N = 4,204), Turkmenistan (N = 2,064), and Uzbekistan (N = 4,939). The average number of mother-child interactions was highest in Georgia and lowest in Kyrgyzstan. Mother-child interaction was significantly lower for younger children, older mothers, and poorer households. Initiation of mass-communication campaigns and parent-child programmes could reduce differences in the number of interactions and improve the quality of maternal time dedicated to children.