Radio Messages Research Articles

Effectiveness of Radio Agricultural Programmes in Scaling Up Farming Activities of Smallholder Farmers in Bushenyi District

The study was about effectiveness of radio agricultural programmes in scaling up farming activities of smallholder farmers in Bushenyi district. The specific objective was to; determine the factors associated with radio listenership and application of the knowledge gained through agricultural radio messages. The study was a descriptive-cross sectional survey employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches to data collection and analysis. Data was gathered from a sample of 360 respondents across 18 listener groups of agricultural extension programs using questionnaire and interview guide. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 to generate both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study concluded that that age bracket (39 – 48), radio ownership, place of residence, negative attitudes and perceptions, limited agricultural spaces, media exposure and investment capital were some of the factors associated with radio listenership and application of the knowledge gained through agricultural radio messages in the area. The study concluded that agricultural extension radio programmes have a wider coverage and have been so pertinent to smallholder farmer’s activities, however listenership and application of the knowledge gained through agricultural radio messages is still hampered by certain impediments that call for urgent address. This study therefore recommends that the programme should be changed to evening when most farmers are available in their houses. Radio producers and program hosts should do this through programme planning which informs the selection of topics, presentation of the topics on radio with interviews from selected experts and farmers.

Assessing Indigenous Community Radio as Two-Way Communications Infrastructure: Communal Engagement and Political Mobilization in Ecuador

Because Indigenous peoples face unique challenges to their autonomy and lifeways from dominant media influences, Indigenous radio has been used to facilitate intra-community engagement among these groups. A small but long-standing literature reveals both strengths and vulnerabilities of Indigenous radio, though the rapidly changing communications landscape suggests new possibilities for these media sources. Our research was a community–academic collaboration that employed exploratory and mixed (survey, interview, and observational) methods across two Indigenous communities in the Central and Southern Amazon of Ecuador. The Indigenous radio station, La Voz de la CONFENIAE (Confederación de las Nacionalidades Indígenas de la Amazonía Ecuatoriana), sought to perform an impact assessment that would measure both the character and extent of the impact of radio programming with sensitivity to the priorities of listeners as to the purpose, function, and appropriate impact metrics for an Indigenous radio station. A total of 92 surveys and 30 interviews across two communities were conducted in July and August of 2022. Our findings reveal (a) the informational function of this radio for the Indigenous communities in its listening reach; (b) that radio programming conveys family, community, and cultural knowledge bi-directionally both from and to its listening audience; and (c) that members of the audience were, in turn, prompted to action and engagement. In our discussion, we identify opportunities to improve the assessment of community-owned radio as a bidirectional resource for communities. Our work also advances a model of self-determined and stakeholder-driven evaluation for Indigenous community radio, with particular attention to the material (e.g., behavioral) impacts of radio messages and potential for radio to support communal and collective engagements desired by the communities it serves.

The Voice of the Announcers Effects on Perception, Physiological Arousal, Attitudes Toward the Ad, Intent to Buy, and Recall

ABSTRACT In radio messages, announcers use a particular and marked style that is not always conceived as the most effective. This study aims to analyze the perception, attitudes toward the brand, intent to buy, physiological arousal, and recall of voices with different pitch and intonation in radio commercials. The results showed that low-pitched voices were the most natural, attractive, and credible, with the highest attitude toward the brand, purchase intentions, emotional physiological activation, and recall. Regarding intonation, the moderate dynamic strategy was the best perceived, with the highest autonomous arousal, recall, attitude toward the brand, and purchase intentions.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Program in Bungoma County, Kenya.

Awareness could play a key role in reducing underdiagnosis and accelerating referral of childhood cancer in low- and middle-income countries and ultimately improve outcomes. This study describes the implementation of a childhood cancer awareness program in Bungoma County in Kenya, containing five components: (1) baseline data collection of primary healthcare facilities; (2) live training session for healthcare providers (HCP); (3) early warning signs posters; (4) online SMS course for HCP; and (5) radio campaign. This study was conducted between January and June 2023. All 144 primary healthcare facilities (level 2 and 3 health facilities) within Bungoma County were visited by the field team. All 125 level 2 (87%) and 19 level 3 (13%) facilities participated in the study. National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) failed to cover services in 37 (26%) facilities. HCP were more often reported absent at level 3 (89%) than level 2 (64%) facilities (P = 0.034). The 144 live training sessions were attended by over 2000 HCP. Distribution of 144 early warning signs posters resulted in 50 phone calls about suspected childhood cancer cases. Sixteen children were later confirmed with childhood cancer and treated. Online SMS learning was completed by 890 HCP. Knowledge mean scores improved between pre-test (7.1) and post-test (8.1; P < 0.001). Finally, 540 radio messages about childhood cancer and a live question-and-answer session were broadcasted. This study described the implementation of a childhood cancer awareness program in Kenya involving both HCP and the general public. The program improved HCP's knowledge and increased the number of referrals for children with cancer.

Effects of family planning counselling and media messages on contraceptives use by Nigerian men: Evidence from the Nigeria demographic and health survey.

Generally, man plays a more significant role in population health in developing countries like Nigeria, as most of them show no interest in contraceptive use. Hence, to achieve the desired population control in a developing country like Nigeria, men must step up the modern use of contraceptives. The objective of the study was to examine the effect of family planning counselling and media messages about reproductive health on men's acceptance of contraceptives. Precisely, the study sought to determine if the use of counselling and radio messages on family planning could enhance the acceptance of contraceptive usage among men in developing countries like Nigeria. The researchers sourced the data for the study from the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2018 and used the Logit regression method for the data analysis. Results from the analysis showed that counselling at health facilities and radio messages on modern contraceptive use have positive and significant effects on men's acceptance of contraceptives. Based on the findings, the study recommended that the best way to increase contraceptive use among men in Nigeria and some other developing countries is to compel pregnant women attending antenatal care services to come with their husbands to the health facility once a month, during which the men could be counselled on the importance of modern contraceptives usage.

Influence of Radio Messages on the Awareness and Adoption of Malaria Preventive Measures among Rural Dwellers in South-West Nigeria

This paper examined the influence of radio messages on the awareness and adoption of malaria preventive measures among rural dwellers in South-west Nigeria. The study investigated the participants’ frequency of exposure to radio messages on malaria preventive measures, message adoption, and attitudes towards adopting measures. We used a multiple-stage sampling technique to select 48 participants from Aye North, Orile-Oshodi, Ofada, Owobaale/kasumu, Isale Oba II, and Ilepa II. The findings showed that the participants were exposed to messages on malaria preventive measures through radio broadcasts; however, exposure did not necessarily influence message adoption. Instead, a positive attitude towards the message influenced adoption. The study concluded that there is a need for radio stations to engage people’s participation daily in health-related issues to achieve the desired change in health behaviour. The authors recommend that radio stations provide time to create daily health messages that influence people’s engagement to achieve the desired change in health behaviour.

Reproductive health issues of concern among Nigerians: an online survey

Background: Reproductive health is often neglected due to various reasons including poor access to information and services. This study was undertaken to get an understanding of what reproductive health issues are of concern to Nigerians and their suggestions for improvement of services in order to meet their needs. Methods: The study was an anonymous online survey carried out using Google Forms. Statistical analyses including rates and comparative analyses were carried out using MINITAB statistical software version 19. Results: The most common reproductive health issues of concern to respondents were sexual health (29.59%), contraception (23.47%), infections (21.43%), fertility issues (17.35%, and female reproductive tract cancer (13.27%). Other concerns were limited access to reproductive health information and services including awareness and education of men and young people (5.10%), availability and affordability (2.04%), getting the right information (1.02%), and ability to discuss reproductive health issues (1.02%). The most common suggestions for improvement included having more information (65.00%), greater involvement of men (62.00%), improved access to services (56.00%), and greater involvement of young people (39.00%). The preferred media of information included social media (20.00%), email (20.00%), and health workers including door-to-door services and seminars in schools (13.85%). Other preferred media of information included radio (4.62%), print media (3.08%), parents/family (1.54%), and SMS messages (1.54%). Conclusions: For meaningful impact, reproductive health interventions should ensure availability of information and services that are inclusive of adolescents and young people, men and older persons, through various channels such as school seminars, health workers, traditional and social media, and other technologies.

BabyWASH and diarrhea prevention practices following multimedia educational intervention in hard-to-reach areas of the Afar and Somali regions of Ethiopia: a mixed-method endline evaluation

BackgroundWater, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions, which are specifically targeted towards young children—known as “BabyWASH”—reduce exposure to environmental contamination and prevent microbial burden in their play and feeding environments. The purpose of this endline study was to evaluate the effectiveness and potential sustainability of a multimedia educational intervention in influencing key BabyWASH and diarrhea prevention practices in four hard-to-reach woredas (i.e. administrative districts) of the Afar and Somali regions of Ethiopia.MethodsA mixed-method, comparative cross-sectional study was conducted, which included 457 household surveys, 16 key informant interviews, and 8 focus group discussions. The multimedia educational intervention comprised: broadcasting radio talk shows and radio spot messages, capacity-building training for community health workers and community leaders, community mobilization campaigns, and the distribution of promotional print media materials. Propensity score matching analysis was used to estimate the effect of the multimedia educational intervention on key BabyWASH and diarrhea prevention attitudes and practices, which was then triangulated with qualitative findings.ResultsThe multimedia intervention had a significant positive impact on good BabyWASH and diarrhea prevention practices, including appropriate practices of child feces disposal (t-test = 5.17; p < 0.001), handwashing with soap or ash (t-test = 8.85; p < 0.001), maintaining separate playgrounds for young children (t-test = 2.83; p < 0.001), washing of child’s body, hands, and faces (t-test = 15.78; p < 0.001), and food hygiene practices (t-test = 2.74; p < 0.05). The findings of the qualitative assessment also revealed that the multimedia intervention packages and the approaches used were successful in influencing key BabyWASH and diarrhea prevention behaviors in the intervention implementation woredas. In addition, providing capacity building training to local actors and community leaders and recording radio talk shows and sharing them with community members were recognized as effective intervention implementation strategies.ConclusionThe endline evaluation found that the multimedia educational intervention improved awareness, perception, and practice of BabyWASH and diarrhea prevention behaviors in intervention woredas compared to control woredas. Sanitation and hygiene promotion interventions in pastoralist settings can be effective when using locally and contextually appropriate intervention strategies. However, considerations for integrating both behavioral and structural components in WASH interventions is essential.

A good egg: An evaluation of a social and behavior change communication campaign to increase egg consumption among children in Rwanda.

Childhood malnutrition, which is endemic in rural areas of low-income countries, leads to a host of deleterious outcomes such as poor cognitive development, low educational attainment and lower lifetime wages. Promoting the consumption of eggs among young children has emerged as a promising strategy to combat childhood malnutrition, though pathways to scale remain unclear. In this paper, we evaluate the impact of a social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) campaign combined with a program in which rural families purchased chickens on credit (poultry + SBCC; n = 769) relative to an arm in which families only received the poultry intervention (poultry only; n = 750), using a difference-in-difference estimation strategy with propensity score matching. The SBCC consisted of radio messages, in-person training, text message reminders and posters. We found a relatively modest but statistically significant increase in the number of times per week respondents in the poultry + SBCC arm reported feeding eggs to children of 0.28 (p = 0.02) compared to the poultry-only arm. The increase in egg feeding, however, was more pronounced for boys (0.42, p < 0.01) than for girls (0.14, p = 0.26). In addition, the campaign increased egg feeding more for those who were already feeding eggs to children (0.63, p < 0.01) than those who were not engaging in those practices at baseline (0.26, p < 0.01). However, the difference in these differences was not statistically significant. Future campaigns should ensure higher saturation of messaging and include specific messaging around the importance of feeding girls as well as boys. Campaigns seeking to scale up egg feeding quickly could potentially target the easier-to-reach segment of caregivers who already occasionally feed eggs to children though these might not be the neediest group.

Awareness and uptake of pre-conceptional genotype screening among pregnant women in South-South Nigeria

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inheritable genetic disease occurring worldwide. Nigeria is regarded as the epicenter of the disease, with a high number of SCD babies born annually. The risk of having an SCD baby remains high once there is a union between two heterozygous couple; therefore, it is imperative for intending couples to know their genotypes before marriage and conception. Currently, it is only the churches that insist on genotype before marriage. The result subsequently is a marriage between a heterozygous couple with a high possibility of the birth of an SCD baby. This cross-sectional study surveyed 430 consecutive consenting antenatal clinic clients presenting for booking in Central Hospital, Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria. The women completed a questionnaire with sections on sociodemographic attributes, awareness of their SCD and their genotype, awareness of their partner’s genotype, source of information, and ways to improve uptake of preconception genotype screening. The age range 25-34 years constituted 68.1% of the study population, with the majority of them (95.1%) of the Christian faith. Married women form 90.1% of the participants. Only 55.1% of the participants were aware of their genotype before conception. Higher education, being a Christian, marital status, and the type of marriage significantly affected patients’ awareness of their genotype. The majority of them heard about genotype screening from a health professional (30.5%), while the commonest reasons why many of them did genotype screening were for school admission 13.3%, for knowledge’s sake (12.1%) and as a requirement for marriage (24.7%). Some of the ways suggested to help increase the uptake of genotype screening include community meetings, text and WhatsApp messages, television and radio messages. Despite the fact that Nigeria remains the epicenter of SCD in the world, the uptake of preconception genotype screening is still low. The government, health workers, churches and marriage counselors, and the community have a major role to play in increasing the awareness and uptake of preconception genotype screening.

COVID-19 Education and Resource Development for Punjabi-Speaking Sikh Farmworkers in California

ABSTRACT Objective While the vast majority of farmworkers in California are Latinx, a small proportion of the farmworkers are Asian Indian who primarily speak Punjabi. To date, there are few COVID-19 resources developed that specifically target Punjabi-speaking farmworkers. This study examines the COVID-19 educational needs of Punjabi-speaking farmworkers in California and aims to inform future development of educational materials for Punjabi-speaking farmworkers. Methods During early 2021, a two-phase qualitative study was conducted. In Phase 1, five key informant interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide to assess the content, visual, and cultural relevance of current COVID-19 educational resources. Based on informant feedback, new agriculture-specific COVID-19 educational resources were developed in Punjabi. In Phase 2, three focus groups were conducted (in Fresno and Yuba Counties) with five participants in each group to evaluate the newly developed COVID-19 resources. Results Informant interviews showed that Punjabi-speaking farmworkers preferred printed handouts, videos, and radio messages to receive COVID-19 related information. Participants preferred 8–1/2”x11” sized printed handouts that were colorful and had culturally relevant photographs. Participant video preferences included live action videos that were short (1–3 mins) with characters representing the Punjabi community. A substantial majority of focus group participants approved the newly developed COVID-19 educational and safety resources. Conclusion Current COVID-19 resources are not meeting the educational needs of Punjabi-speaking farmworkers. This community needs COVID-19 educational and safety materials that are culturally relevant and linguistically appropriate to be available in different formats: handouts, videos, and radio messages.

The Use of Correlation Features in the Problem of Speech Recognition

The problem solved in the article is connected with the increase in the efficiency of phraseological radio exchange message recognition, which sometimes takes place in conditions of increased tension for the pilot. For high-quality recognition, signal preprocessing methods are needed. The article considers new data preprocessing algorithms used to extract features from a speech message. In this case, two approaches were proposed. The first approach is building autocorrelation functions of messages based on the Fourier transform, the second one uses the idea of building autocorrelation portraits of speech signals. The proposed approaches are quite simple to implement, although they require cyclic operators, since they work with pairs of samples from the original signal. Approbation of the developed method was carried out with the problem of recognizing phraseological radio exchange messages in Russian. The algorithm with preliminary feature extraction provides a gain of 1.7% in recognition accuracy. The use of convolutional neural networks also provides an increase in recognition efficiency. The gain for autocorrelation portraits processing is about 3–4%. Quantization is used to optimize the proposed models. The algorithm’s performance increased by 2.8 times after the quantization. It was also possible to increase accuracy of recognition by 1–2% using digital signal processing algorithms. An important feature of the proposed algorithms is the possibility of generalizing them to arbitrary data with time correlation. The speech message preprocessing algorithms discussed in this article are based on classical digital signal processing algorithms. The idea of constructing autocorrelation portraits based on the time series of a signal has a novelty. At the same time, this approach ensures high recognition accuracy. However, the study also showed that all the algorithms under consideration perform quite poorly under the influence of strong noise.

Anambra State Residents’ Attitude towards Radio Campaigns Messages on Compliance to Covid-19 Protocols

The study examined Anambra state residents’ attitude towards radio campaign messages on compliance to covid-19 protocols, with the objectives includes: to determine the level of awareness of Anambra state residents to radio campaigns messages of covid-19 protocols; to determine the extent radio campaigns influenced residents’ compliance to use of face masks and to ascertain the level of influence of radio campaigns on residents’ compliance to hand washing etiquette. The forms of delivering the campaigns considered were radio jingles, radio dramas, public service announcements, and sponsored health talks. The Population for the study was 5,932,516, four hundred (400) participants were surveyed across six (6) purposively selected local government areas in Anambra State. The study found that majority of the residents are highly aware and knowledgeable about COVID-19 radio campaign messages. The study also found that the radio campaign messages has highly influenced the audience to use face masks and also adhere to hand washing protocol.

Effectiveness of an integrated multilevel early child development intervention on caregiver knowledge and behavior: a quasi-experimental evaluation of the Malezi program in Tanzania

BackgroundThe quality of caregiving and the parent-child relationship is critical for early child development (ECD) and has been shown to be modifiable. This study evaluated an ECD project in Tanzania, assessing the effectiveness of radio messaging (RM) alone and a combined radio messaging/video job aids/ECD (RMV-ECD) intervention.MethodsThis two-arm pre-post evaluation study enrolled a cohort of caregivers of children 0–24 months in four districts of Tabora region, following them for 9 months. ECD radio messages were broadcast on popular stations at least 10 times/day reaching all study districts. In two districts, community health workers (CHW), trained in UNICEF’s Care for Child Development package, used ECD videos in home- and facility-based sessions with caregivers. We used McNemar’s testing (pre-post pairs) within intervention group to describe how the intervention was associated with change in five outcomes: ECD knowledge, early stimulation, father engagement, responsive care, and environment safety. Logistic regression was used to describe the relative benefits of the combined intervention package (RMV-ECD) compared to radio messaging (RM).ResultsIn the RMV-ECD arm, all outcomes at endline except environment safety significantly improved after the intervention with the largest change seen in ECD knowledge (35.8% increase, p < .0001) and the smallest in father engagement (6.7%, p = .015). In the RM arm, ECD knowledge (5.7%, p = .031) and environment safety (18.1%, p = <.0001) improved. High measures of parenting stress were associated with lower likelihood of having good ECD knowledge (AOR 0.50, 95%CI: 0.35, 0.71), father engagement (AOR 0.72, 95%CI: 0.52, 0.99) and responsive care (AOR 0.31, 95%CI: 0.18, 0.54).ConclusionsAn intervention that includes mass media, educational video content and CHWs who counsel caregivers in their homes and health facilities was associated with significant improvements in ECD parenting knowledge and behaviors but a relationship with responsive care could not be established. The less costly mass media-only intervention was associated with improved parenting knowledge and household environment safety. Parenting interventions targeting young children could be improved by incorporating more messaging and caregiver coaching in managing parental stress.Trial registrationNCT05244161 (17/02/2022); retrospectively registered with the US National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov.

Getting the message out: Information and communication technologies and agricultural extension

AbstractThere has been much optimism about the potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to provide agricultural extension services to remote households. Yet, little is known about how different communication methods fare, and, moreover, whether different segments of the population adopt information communicated via different means equally. We conduct a randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of three ICTs—radio, voice response messages, and a smartphone app—with traditional extension training in communicating fertilizer management practices across four districts in rural Nepal. We find that farmers in the smartphone app and the extension training programs are on average 8.4 and 13 percentage points more likely to adopt top dressing fertilizer practices compared to control farmers, statistically significant at the 1% and 5% levels, respectively. Farmers in the smartphone app treatment achieve the highest agronomic literacy test scores, 7.8 percentage points higher than the control, statistically significant at the 1% level. In contrast, farmers receiving radio or voice response messages were not more likely to adopt the same fertilizer recommendations nor show improved specific or general agronomic knowledge relative to control farmers. Our results suggest that smartphone apps are more cost effective at inducing farmer knowledge and technology adoption than extension trainings. Heterogeneous treatment effects, however, reveal that a targeted ICT approach may be more effective in disseminating extension advice.

Evaluation of a Text Messaging Intervention to Promote Preconception Micronutrient Supplement Use: Feasibility Study Nested in the Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative Study in South Africa.

BackgroundSocial messaging strategies such as SMS text messaging and radio are promising avenues for health promotion and behavior change in low- to middle-income settings. However, evidence of their acceptability, feasibility, and impact in the context of young women’s health and micronutrient deficiencies is lacking.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of an automated 2-way text messaging intervention nested in an ongoing preconception health trial, the Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI; HeLTI Bukhali) in Soweto, South Africa. Second, we aimed to evaluate the acceptability of a health promotion radio serial, which aired concurrently in the region.MethodsIn this feasibility study, 120 participants enrolled in HeLTI Bukhali between November 2020 and February 2021 received the 6-month 2-way text messaging intervention. Quantitative and qualitative data on intervention acceptability, usability, interaction, perceived benefit, and fidelity were collected during 5 focus group discussions (FGDs) and from study data logs. During the FGDs, data were collected on the acceptability of the radio serial. Following the text messaging intervention, capillary hemoglobin levels were assessed, and a participant questionnaire provided information on adherence and attitudes toward supplements. The text messaging control group comprised the first 120 women recruited from November 2019 to February 2020, who received the Bukhali intervention but not the text messages. Statistical significance testing and a linear mixed model were used for indicative effect comparisons between the text message–receiving and control groups.ResultsThe text messaging intervention was found to be acceptable and to have perceived benefits, including being reminded to take supplements, gaining knowledge, and feeling supported by the study team. The use of the 2-way text messaging reply function was limited, with only a 10.8% (13/120) response rate by week 24. Barriers to replying included a lack of interest or phone credit and technical issues. Regarding the indicative effect, participants receiving the text messages had higher self-reported adherence at follow-up than the text messaging control group (42/63, 67% vs 33/85, 39% taking supplements every time; P=.02), and altitude-adjusted hemoglobin increased more between baseline and follow-up in the SMS text message–receiving group than in the text messaging control group (1.03, 95% CI 0.49-1.57; P<.001). The radio serial content was acceptable, although few participants reported exposure before the FGD.ConclusionsWomen reported that the text messaging intervention was useful and described the benefits of receiving the messages. Examination of hemoglobin status indicated a promising beneficial effect of text messaging support on adherence to micronutrient supplementation, requiring further exploration through randomized controlled studies. Health promotion through radio and text messages were both found to be acceptable, although more research into the radio serial reach among young women is needed.Trial RegistrationPan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR) PACTR201903750173871; https://tinyurl.com/4x6n32ff

P127 Outcome Evaluation of the LSU AgCenter Social Marketing Program

<h3>Background</h3> Social marketing materials, including billboards and television and radio campaigns, are used by the LSU AgCenter SNAP-Ed program to encourage healthy eating behaviors and to supplement information provided in direct education lessons. An evaluation conducted in 2018 found campaign messages were previously found to be effective in encouraging healthful eating behaviors, but changes were since made to targeting and implementation. <h3>Objective</h3> This study aimed to assess exposure, unaided recall, and behavior change outcomes of a social marketing campaign on a SNAP-Ed eligible audience. <h3>Study Design, Setting, Participants</h3> A survey was distributed to n = 78 SNAP-Ed eligible adults through channels used for recruitment of SNAP-Ed participants. <h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3> The survey first assessed unaided recall of social marketing messages, then prompted participants with titles of campaign messages and assessed recall. Survey questions also asked about changes to attitudes and behaviors after exposure to campaign messages. <h3>Results</h3> Although few (n = 13, 17%) respondents recalled messages unaided, many remembered billboard (n = 55, 70%) and television (n = 35, 45%) messages. Only 5% (n = 6) of participants reported hearing a radio message. Many participants who specifically recalled messages about breakfast and fruits and vegetables said they changed their behavior in response to those messages (n = 12, 41% and n = 19, 68%, respectively). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Though the generalizability of our findings are limited by the convenience sampling strategy used, our results demonstrated continued reach and effectiveness of the LSU AgCenter social marketing campaign among our sample of participants. Findings also suggested that radio messaging may not be effective in reaching the target audience. <h3>Funding</h3> Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Education

Perceived capacities of public extension personnel for climate information dissemination to farmers in Cross River State, Nigeria

The study examined the perceived capacities of public extension personnel for climate information dissemination to farmers in Cross River State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 72 extension agents. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and were analysed using a multinomial logistic regression at 5% level of significance. Some of the climate information disseminated were information on appropriate measures to take to prevent water shortage due to adverse weather conditions (75%) and early warning signs on events such as drought, flooding etc. (70.8%). Radio and/or television (68.1%), and the Ministries of Agriculture and Natural Resources (68.1%) were the main sources of climate information. Respondents perceived that they had low capacities for producing and airing radio and television messages on climate change (15.3%) and carrying out impact analysis of climate change effects on farmers (18%). Results of the multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that years of experience (x2 =6.244; p = 0.044); and highest educational qualification (x2 =11.021; p = 0.088) had positively significant effects on capacity to disseminate climate information. Extension staff should be encouraged to go for specialized studies on climate change and be trained to interpret and disseminate agro-meteorological data and information.

HPV knowledge, screening barriers and facilitators, and sources of health information among women living with HIV: perspectives from the DC community during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundHigh-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) causes 99% of cervical cancer cases. Despite available prevention methods through the HPV vaccine and two screening modalities, women continue to die from cervical cancer worldwide. Cervical cancer is preventable, yet affects a great number of women living with HIV (WLH). Low screening rates among WLH further exacerbate their already high risk of developing cervical cancer due to immunosuppression. This study explores WLH’s current cervical cancer knowledge, screening barriers and facilitators, and sources of health information.MethodsFocus group discussions were conducted with 39 WLH aged 21 years old or older, who resided in the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan Area. Emergent themes were classified and organized into overarching domains and assembled with representative quotations.ResultsThe women had limited knowledge of HPV and the cervical cancer screening guidelines for WLH. Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has amplified screening barriers due to decreased accessibility to usual medical appointment and cervical cancer screenings. Screening facilitators included knowing someone diagnosed with cervical cancer and provider recommendations. WLH indicated that they obtained health information through in-person education (providers, peer groups) and written literature. Due to the pandemic, they also had to increasingly rely on remote and technology-based communication channels such as the internet, social media, television, radio, email, and short message service (SMS) text messaging.ConclusionsFuture health interventions need to explore the possibility of sharing messages and increasing cervical cancer and HPV knowledge of WLH through the use of SMS and other technology-based channels.

“Dear Brother Farmer”: Gender-Responsive Digital Extension in Tunisia during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Providing farmers with essential agricultural information and training in the era of COVID-19 has been a challenge that has prompted a renewed interest in digital extension services. There is a distinct gender gap, however, between men’s and women’s access to, use of, and ability to benefit from information and communication technologies (ICTs). The overall purpose of this research is to examine how digital extension can address gender inequality in rural areas in the context of the COVID-19 crisis by designing and evaluating the gendered impacts of a digital extension intervention delivered to 624 farmers (363 men and 261 women) (which included phone distribution, radio and SMS messages, and sharing of information prompts) in northern Tunisia. In order to assess the effectiveness of gender-responsive digital extension that targets husband and wife pairs, as opposed to only men, we employed logistic regression and descriptive statistics to analyze a sample of 242 farmers (141 women and 141 men). We find that phone ownership facilitated women’s access to their social network, as well as agricultural information and services, ultimately improving their participation in household decision making and agricultural production. We find that gender-responsive digital extension is effective for men and especially women in terms of usefulness, learning, and adoption. We identified education level and cooperative membership as important factors that determine the impact of digital extension services on farmers and demonstrate the positive impact of radio programming. We recommend strengthening phone access for women, targeting information (including through non-written ways) to both husbands and wives, using sharing prompts, and more rigorous extension for knowledge-intensive topics such as conservation agriculture and rural collectives.