Promotion Messages Research Articles

Strengthening uptake of breast cancer screening services in Tanzania; re-visiting the breast cancer screening messages

BackgroundBreast Cancer remains among the top five cancers responsible for morbidity and mortality globally. For many years, infectious (communicable) diseases were a primary concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared to higher-income countries, where non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were already a major concern. However, starting from the early 2000s, the LMICs including Tanzania has witnessed an epidemiological transition being equally affected by NCDs, and breast cancer, is among the prevalent NCDs. While the evidence is vast on the role of breast cancer screening messages in promoting screening, debunking myths, and addressing barriers to the uptake of breast cancer services, context-specific messages are limited. Amidst the changing technology, growth of social media and cultural dynamics, context-specific breast cancer screening messages are needed. We aimed to analyze the breast cancer screening messages from the experiences of women seeking care at Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Tanzania.MethodsAn exploratory qualitative case study adopting in-depth interviews (IDI) and focused group discussion (FGD) was carried out among purposefully selected women aged from 18 years to 65 years seeking care from Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Eighteen women participated in the IDIs, and 16 women participated in FGD. Data analysis followed inductive qualitative content analysis.FindingsThree main categories emerged: the existence of multiple sources of breast cancer screening messages, the strengths and weaknesses of breast cancer screening messages, and clients’ mixed perceptions of breast cancer screening messages.ConclusionThe findings of this study depict that although breast cancer screening promotion messages are regarded as a source of information about cancers, they fall short of completeness and relevance to the otherwise at-risk population and trigger negative perceptions toward screening. Therefore, this study advocates revisiting the breast cancer screening messages, employing participatory approaches to tailor the screening messages and communication media to fit specific audiences. This calls for re-designing both the content of the messages and means of delivery; thus, collaborative efforts are needed.

The Misadventures of Giuseppe Chiarini's Circus in Mexico, or a Survival Guide for Itinerant Entertainers in Turbulent Times

Press coverage of Giuseppe Chiarini's circus in Mexico during the downfall of Maximilian shows the entertainment entrepreneur adapting and altering his promotional messaging in response to a volatile political climate. That Chiarini operated a transnational enterprise at the time allows direct comparisons of the differing messaging he employed between Mexico and the United States on two controversial issues: republican versus imperial forms of government that divided Mexico and slavery that divided the United States. His politically splintered audiences in Mexico also offered differing interpretations of the import of his company's performance, and subsequently employed his circus to bolster the emergence of a national symbol. The record in Mexico suggests that the circus's methods of communication were less resistant to the application of political meaning than they were flexible in incorporating such meanings, allowing for them to attract and maintain the most diverse, and therefore largest, possible public.

Drivers of digital currency adoption and their configurational impact assessment in tourism and hospitality: loss aversion under prospect theory

ABSTRACT With accelerated digitalisation in all business sectors, digital currencies (DC) are increasingly popular. This study aimed to identify the effects of central bank digital currency (CBDC) innovation characteristics and perceived risks on CBDC adoption intention in the tourism and hospitality field. This study devised a research model incorporating research hypotheses addressing CBDC customers’ perceptions of CBDC's innovative technology and risks. To test the hypotheses, data were obtained from the USA, Korea, and China. CBDC's innovation characteristics and perceived risks affected the adoption of CBDC for transactions during travel. The results have academic and practical value because they aid understanding of customers’ reactions to the new transaction system and establish proactive marketing strategies such as promotional message development to reduce perceived risks in lieu of strengthening innovative characteristics.

Determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among adolescents and youths aged 10-35 years in sub-Saharan African countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed health systems, especially in sub-Saharan African countries. Vaccination is one of the easily accessible interventions that can help reduce the burden on the health system. However, vaccination coverage remains low in sub-Saharan African countries. The determinants of vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among adolescents and youths remain unknown. Therefore, this study explored the pooled prevalence and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among adolescents and youths in sub-Saharan African Countries. A systematic literature search of Scopus, PubMed Central, PubMed, Embase, African Journal Online, Research 4 Life, Embase, and Google Scholar was performed from 6th May to 31st December 2023, using developed keywords with a focus on sub-Saharan African countries. Twenty-three (N = 23) studies were finally selected for analysis. The pooled prevalence of vaccine acceptance among adolescents and youths was 38.7% (n = 23). The subgroup analysis of the pooled prevalence of acceptance among adolescents was 36.1% (n = 36.1) while youths were 42% (n = 10). At the region level, West Africa had 42.2% (n = 13), East Africa had 39.8% (n = 6), Central Africa had 33% (n = 1), and Southern Africa had 24.2% (n = 3). The determinants of vaccine acceptance were the desire for self-immunity (AOR = 1.97, 95%, CI, 1.083.47, I2 = 94.15%, p < 0.05), receiving Health Officers' information (AOR = 4.36, 95%, CI, 2.28-8.32, I2 = 97.74, p < 0.001), the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine (AOR = 2.14, 95%, CI, 1.14-4.05, I2 = 97.4%, p < 0.05). The odds of having an unconfirmed source of information (AOR = 0.22, 95% CI, 0.10-0.45, I2 = 94.09%, p< 0.001) was responsible for vaccine hesitancy. The findings indicate the low pooled prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and high levels of hesitancy among adolescents and youths in sub-Saharan African countries. Therefore, there is a need to ensure that extensive research is undertaken into age-appropriate health promotion messages and strategies to encourage the uptake of vaccines. PROSPERO ID number CRD42023403071.

The Effects of Numerical Evidence and Message Framing in Communicating Vaccine Efficacy

To examine the effects of numerical evidence and message framing in communicating vaccine efficacy information about infectious diseases, an online experiment presented to U.S. adults different versions of a vaccination promotional message that vary by numerical vaccine efficacy evidence: (low efficacy rate: 60% vs. high efficacy rate: 95%), outcome framing (preventing disease-related infection vs. preventing disease-related severe illness), and gain vs. loss framing, using a factorial between-subjects design. While there was no significant interaction between numerical vaccine efficacy evidence and message framing, findings showed that a higher vaccine efficacy rate increased positive beliefs about vaccination and outcome framing emphasizing infection prevention increased message processing fluency. Given that infectious diseases pose higher risks for severe illness among older adults, follow-up analyses by age showed that only younger adults were sensitive to message framing where outcome framing emphasizing infection prevention increased processing fluency.

Response to Advertising Delivered by Voice Assistants: The Mediating Role of Persuasion Knowledge, Perceived Control, Social Presence, and Privacy Concerns

More than 40% of Americans used a voice assistant (VA) this year to aid them with a host of tasks, including purchasing nearly $20B in products and services. Voice-assisted advertising is forecasted to grow exponentially over the next decade, but research examining how various promotional messages delivered by a VA impact consumers’ attitudes and purchase behaviors is limited. Guided by the computers are social actors paradigm and integrating tenets from the persuasion knowledge model, social presence theory, and psychological reactance theory, this experimental study examines how VA users’ privacy concerns, situational persuasion knowledge, and perceived control of the interaction along with the social presence of the VA work in concert to influence VA users’ purchase intentions when presented with personalized promotional messaging in response to their requests. Findings across shopping list and search query contexts and between brand-integrated responses and responses that incorporated a traditional commercial indicate that situational persuasion knowledge and a sense of the VA’s social presence combined to positively mediate a promotional message’s ability to incite purchase intentions. However, perceived control and social presence combined to negatively mediate a promotional message’s influence on purchase intentions. Theoretical and practical implications for researchers and advertisers are discussed in detail.

Coverage of cervical cancer prevention interventions among people in Australia who inject drugs

BackgroundThe human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and regular (i.e., every five years) cervical screening are essential to prevent cervical cancer. Australia has high overall coverage of both interventions but little is known about coverage among people who inject drugs. and known barriers to preventive care among this population may extend to cervical cancer control measures. MethodsData were obtained from the 2023 Illicit Drug Reporting System interviews, in which people who regularly inject drugs participated. The sample was restricted to people with a cervix, with participants aged 25–74 years eligible for the National Cervical Screening Program and participants born after 1980 eligible for HPV vaccination. Age-standardised prevalence ratios were used to compare coverage among this sample to the Australian general population; other results were summarised descriptively. FindingsAmong participants eligible for screening (n = 243), most (96.7 %) reported lifetime uptake, while 70.2 % had been screened during the past five years, which was similar to the general population (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.14, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.96–1.31). Among those never or overdue for screening (n = 57), one third (31.7 %) were aware that self-sampling is available and barriers to screening varied, with similar numbers reporting personal (e.g., ‘I didn't know I needed to’), logistical (e.g., ‘I don't have time’), and test-related reasons (e.g., ‘the test is uncomfortable/painful’). Among participants eligible for HPV vaccination (n = 99), coverage was 27.2 %, 38 % lower than the general population (PR: 0.62, 95 % CI: 0.39–0.86). ConclusionsCervical screening coverage among this sample of people who inject drugs was similar to the Australian population. Health promotion messaging that focuses on the availability of self-sampling and the importance of regular screening may improve coverage among those overdue for screening. HPV vaccination was lower than the general population, warranting targeted efforts to offer the vaccine to eligible people who inject drugs.

Improving Public Health Emergency Communication Along the U.S. Southern Border: Insights From a COVID-19 Pilot Campaign With Truck Drivers.

Tens of thousands of trucks cross the U.S.-Mexico border every day. Cross-border truckers' high mobility puts them at risk of acquiring and transmitting infectious diseases and creates challenges reaching them with emergency public health messaging due to their everchanging locations and limited English proficiency. Despite this community-level transmission risk and documented health disparities related to various infectious and noninfectious diseases experienced by truckers themselves, little has been published to provide practical recommendations on better reaching this audience through innovative outreach methods. This article describes a COVID-19 health promotion campaign that aimed to (1) identify, pilot test, and evaluate effective messages, channels, sources, and settings for reaching truckers on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border and (2) build capacity and sustainability for messaging around future health emergencies. The pilot program ran for 6 weeks, June to August 2023, in three key commercial border crossings and delivered approximately 50,000,000 impressions, nearly 45% more impressions than expected. Considerations for practitioners include the areas of design, implementation, and evaluation. The results provide insight into how to design health promotion messages that resonate with cross-border truckers and how to place these messages where they will be seen, heard, and understood. This includes working effectively with community health workers (CHW), known locally as promotores; identifying local partners that allow CHW to set up onsite; and, working with partner organizations including employers. Practical insights for building evaluation metrics into traditional and grassroots outreach strategies to facilitate real-time optimization as well as continued learning across efforts are also described.

Theme park visitors’ responses to monetary promotions: The moderating roles of promotion frequency and original price

Previous research has shed light on how monetary promotions affect visitors’ purchase intentions, leading many theme parks to adopt these strategies. Yet, with different promotion frequencies and original prices, the effectiveness of these promotions may diverge. Utilizing three experimental studies, this research demonstrates that perceived value fully mediates the significant impact of monetary promotions on purchase intentions. Original price moderates this effect, whereas the moderating role of promotion frequency was not significant. Specifically, for high-priced theme parks offering minimal discounts, “amount off” was preferred over “percentage off,” irrespective of promotion frequency. When original prices are low, the effectiveness of two promotional messages becomes indistinguishable. Both theoretical and managerial implications are further elaborated.

Credibility Perceptions of Information and Vaccine Intention: The Role of Collective Vs. Individual Framing Messages

ABSTRACT After four years into the pandemic, we know that COVID-19 vaccines are effective, and it is crucial to increase public compliance with getting the COVID-19 vaccines. The current study examines the interplay of credibility perceptions, perceived benefits, and two different types of vaccine promotion messages: individual versus collective. Data was collected using an online randomized experiment. Findings demonstrated that individual versus collective frames did not influence everyone similarly. The results show a significantly moderated mediation model, such that the association between message frame and vaccine intention was mediated by the credibility of the message, and the relationship between message frame and perceived credibility was moderated by perceived benefits of the vaccine.

Investigating the Role of Political Messaging on Preferences for Local Food Products in the United States

AbstractThis study investigates whether wording a promotional marketing message as originating from the US government vs. the US president impacts consumers’ responsiveness to the message. Using a discrete choice experiment, it examines consumer responsiveness to President Biden’s order promoting domestic production. Results indicate that consumers are willing to pay a premium for domestically produced tomatoes, with variations based on political affiliations and product attributes like organic labeling and farm employment practices. However, findings on the significance of information treatment effects are mixed, suggesting that consumer responsiveness is unaffected by wording the message as originating from a broad political body vs. a specific politician.

The Role of Fresh Start Mindset (FSM) and Collectivistic Orientation in Mental Health Promotion Messages

Promoting mental health issues faces significant barriers, especially due to ingrained societal norms and individuals’ concerns about societal perceptions. This study, based on experimental design, explores the potential effectiveness of fresh start mindset (FSM) framing in enhancing perceived advertisement effectiveness and attitudes toward mental health issues, particularly among individuals with high collectivistic tendencies. This study uniquely suggests that mental health campaigns employing FSM framing may aid those with a strong collectivistic orientation to shift from viewing mental health as a source of societal stigma and nonconformity to embracing it as an opportunity for a fresh start. Additionally, this study highlights that an individual’s attitude toward the issue functions as a mediating mechanism in assessing the responses to a mental health PSA using FSM framing.

The Social Media Marketing Mix Trends in Indonesia for 2024: Communication Perspective

Background: 86% of marketers believe social media marketing mix trends have influenced their profits. This condition significantly changes the business world and offers integrated marketing communications strategy options.This is a qualitative research in the interpretive paradigm. Using netnography or virtual ethnography or digital ethnography methods, this research attempts to explore and analyze the complex meaning of Indonesia's latest social media statistical data, compiled from We Are Social and The Global Statistics. We support data from Pew Research Center, Statista, Deloitte, Forbes, Insider Intelligence, Forrester, LinkedIn, GlobalWebIndex, CMO Survey, and the FGD (Focus Group Discussion) method. The analytical tools used are Computer-Mediated Communication Theory, Everett Rogers' Theory of Diffusion of Innovation, etc. In 2024, the social media marketing mix (SMMM) will be dominated by Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) including Generative A.I. and ChatGPT technology, as well as creative content that is entertaining and capable of attracting various kinds of people, and creates social polemics too. The principle, "Give what they want, take what you need," is used to get support from Gen Z and Millennials. This principle is needed to build trust and loyalty. Many companies will carry out promotions focusing only on social media platforms that provide benefits, and social media trends in Indonesia include Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter. The promotional message will consist of product quality, price, and comfort. These three aspects will also be communicated extensively using A.I. technology and ChatGPT.

'People Like Us Would Have No Clue If the Information Is Online': Exploring Understanding and Sources of Hepatitis B Information Among Vietnamese Australians.

Socio-cultural and behavioural factors are often not adequately considered in designing health promotion programs for culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia. Given that people of Vietnamese background are disproportionately impacted by hepatitis B, the aim of this research was to better understand these factors to inform hepatitis B health promotion messages for the Vietnamese community. Twenty participants (four living with hepatitis B) were interviewed by a Vietnamese-speaking researcher. The interview sessions explored beliefs about health, the body and liver; knowledge and attitudes about hepatitis B vaccines, testing, clinical management and stigma; and sources of health information and value given to information on social media. Participants had a range of understandings of health and hepatitis B which informed their responses to health education and intervention. Participants appeared to have limited knowledge and misconceptions about transmission, prevention, treatment, and management of hepatitis B. Stigma surrounding hepatitis B was apparent, with over half the participants reporting that they distanced themselves from people living with hepatitis B. Participants preferred online information resources for younger people and traditional media in the Vietnamese language for older people. By understanding what Vietnamese people know about hepatitis B and how they access health information, these findings can be used to inform health promotion campaigns using print, media, and radio to ensure wide reach. Knowledge of community specific information is key to reducing the burden of hepatitis B among culturally and linguistically diverse communities and ensuring they are able to access healthcare services for testing, monitoring, and care.

Attitude and concerns on antenatal pelvic floor exercises among pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Several studies had investigated the importance and benefit of pelvic floor exercises (PFEs) to the pregnant women and their unborn babies, however, the concerns of antenatal women on the exercise have been sparsely investigated. This study examined the attitude and concerns of pregnant women towards engaging in PFEs in Ibadan, Nigeria. This was cross-sectional study of pregnant women aged ≥15 years. Participants were recruited at primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities. A face-to-face interview was conducted using a structured questionnaire with open and close-ended questions for data collection. Bivariate analysis was performed using chi-square and Fisher's exact test to investigate the association between categorical variables. Multivariate analysis was performed with log-binomial and multinomial regressions to select significant variables that affect the attitude of pregnant women. Of the 373 pregnant women recruited, 118 had ever practiced PFEs. A little below average (43%) performed PFE for less than 3 days a week. Ability to have easy childbirth was the most common motivator for practicing PFE. Participants were most concerned about abdominal pain. No association between any of the factors and participants' attitudes. Though there was a positive attitude of pregnant women towards the PFE but the practice was low. This might be due to inadequate availability of information. We recommend health promotional messages to encourage pregnant women to engage in PFE as part of antenatal messages for healthy living.

Navigating travel decisions in health crises: The interplay of message framing, regulatory focus, and perceived risk

This study investigates the impact of promotional message framing on domestic tourists' travel intentions during a health crisis, exploring the moderating effects of regulatory focus and perceived risk. Utilizing a 2 × 2 × 2 between-subject factorial design, two experiments were conducted with data collected from domestic tourists. The findings reveal that promotion-focused tourists prefer emotionally resonant gain-framed messages with lower discounts and show lower susceptibility to health risks compared to their prevention-focused counterparts. The interaction of gain-framed messages with low discount depth resulted in increased travel intentions despite the health crisis. On the other hand, prevention-focused tourists exhibited no significant change in travel intentions in response to differently framed messages. This study extends the promotional framing literature by incorporating regulatory focus and risk perception, offering practical implications for the tourism industry, particularly during a time of health crisis.

‘Getting addicted to it and losing a lot of money… it’s just like a hole.’ A grounded theory model of how social determinants shape adolescents’ choices to not gamble

BackgroundGambling abstinence when underage lowers the risk of harmful gambling in later life. However, little research has examined why many young people refrain from gambling, even though this knowledge can inform protective strategies and lower risk factors to reduce underage gambling and subsequent harm. This study draws on the lived experience of adolescent non-gamblers to explore how social determinants while growing up have shaped their reasons and choices to not gamble.MethodsFourteen Australian non-gamblers, aged 12–17 years, participated in an in-depth individual interview (4 girls, 3 boys) or online community (4 girls, 3 boys). Questions in each condition differed, but both explored participants’ gambling-related experiences while growing up, including exposure, attitudes and behaviours of parents and peers, advertising, simulated gambling and motivations for not gambling. The analysis used adaptive grounded theory methods.ResultsThe grounded theory model identifies several reasons for not gambling, including not being interested, being below the legal gambling age, discouragement from parent and peers, concern about gambling addiction and harm, not wanting to risk money on a low chance of winning, and moral objections. These reasons were underpinned by several social determinants, including individual, parental, peer and environmental factors that can interact to deter young people from underage gambling. Key protective factors were parental role modelling and guidance, friendship groups who avoided gambling, critical thinking, rational gambling beliefs, financial literacy and having other hobbies and interests.ConclusionsChoices to not gamble emanated from multiple layers of influence, implying that multi-layered interventions, aligned with a public health response, are needed to deter underage gambling. At the environmental level, better age-gating for monetary and simulated gambling, countering cultural pressures, and less exposure to promotional gambling messages, may assist young people to resist these influences. Interventions that support parents to provide appropriate role modelling and guidance for their children are also important. Youth education could include cautionary tales from people with lived experience of gambling harm, and education to increase young people’s financial literacy, ability to recognise marketing tactics, awareness of the risks and harms of gambling, and how to resist peer and other normalising gambling influences.

The Hyperreality of Virtual Influencer Lentari Pagi on Instagram

Rapid developments in the 4.0 era of industry have created technology with capabilities similar to humans, namely artificial intelligence. One example is virtual influencers, which result from progress made by real human influencers supported by technological development. The presence of virtual influencers has become an interesting phenomenon in the contemporary social media ecosystem. Lentari Pagi is a digital representation designed to imitate human behavior and interact with its followers through visual and narrative content shared online. This research aims to understand hyperreality in the appearance and interactions of virtual influencer Lentari Pagi on Instagram and analyze the impact of artificial intelligence technology on the perception and participation of social media users. The qualitative research method was used, with interviews and observation as data collection techniques. The results of this research show that Lentari Pagi succeeded in creating an emotional connection with its followers, conveying promotional messages, and forming a unique self-image in the minds of its audience. In conclusion, this hyperreality phenomenon reflects the complex dynamics between technology, culture, and identity in the current digital era.

Assessing The Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Malaria Prevention and Treatment in Mansa District, Luapula Province, Zambia

Introduction: Malaria continues to be a major public health problem in Zambia with more than 16 million people at risk and 2015 estimates show that there were over 5 million malaria cases. Children under five years and pregnant women are at the greatest risk. Despite Zambia’s interventions including universal insecticide-treated bed-net (ITN) coverage and indoor residual spraying (IRS) in targeted areas strides in the fight against malaria, the situation in Luapula Province is totally different with the highest incidence in pregnancy, 131/1000 in 2013, 207/1000 in 2014, and 177/1000 in 2015. This research therefore assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of malaria prevention and treatment in Mansa, Luapula province of Zambia. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design adopting both qualitative and quantitative study approaches was used on 270 study participants who included community members, pregnant women and health personnel in Mansa ward of Mansa district. The participants were sampled using simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview guides, and focus group discussions. The quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS statistical software, while the qualitative was thematically analyzed. Results: Out of the 270 participants, knowledge of malaria transmission being due to mosquito vector was very high and seen in 270 (100%), however, other perceptions of transmission were; drinking contaminated water 3(1.1%), eating a lot of mangoes 7(2.6%) and coming in contact with a sick patient 207(76.7%). Participants negative attitudes stood at 196 (72.6%) and bad practices was 153(56.7%). Education level was strongly associated with knowledge (p=0.000), attitudes (p=0.001) and practices (p=0.004). Conclusion: Even though knowledge levels on malaria were high and comparable to other studies, however, some attitudes and practices were negative among the participants. On the contrary, healthcare providers had the right attitude towards malaria prevention and control. Community Health Workers are very important in the fight against malaria. The study recommends that creating health promotion messages taking into account the illiterates, involvement of traditional leaders, and giving incentives to community health workers can help in the fight against malaria in Luapula Province.

Dis‐playing gender: From ludic reconfiguration to utopic outcomes in gender‐swap apps

AbstractAn increasing number of AI‐based gender‐swap applications have become a popular trend in our social media platforms and communities, rising controversial issues beyond their apparently playful intent. The primary ludic function informing the use/consumption of such apps opens to further signification and valorization of the produced images. In many cases, the portrait pictures, modified through a system of filters, assume an existential and utopic value for (transgender and nonbinary) users who have the possibility to reimagining and reperforming their gender identity. At the same time, the social availability and disposability of such images risk to trivialize the subjective and highly complex process of sexual and gender transition undergone by many people on their own material body in real life. The aim of this paper is to point out the ambivalences and the possibilities opened by gender‐swap apps for what concerns the issue of gender identity. Through the analysis of a corpus of promotional messages and users' responses to the gender‐swap apps, it is argued that these trans‐faces, far from operating a flawless passing from a gender to the other, constantly dis‐play the social construction and deconstruction of sexual and gender binary identities.