24 research outputs found
The interpersonal communication approach to HIV/AIDS prevention: strategies and challenges for faith-based organizations.
No full textThis study examines the interpersonal communication approach to HIV/AIDS prevention within Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) in Jamaica. Applying concepts from the social influence and social learning theories, the study examines communication strategies, challenges and concerns that religious leaders face in their communication efforts. Data gathered qualitatively through focus groups and in-depth interviews indicate that FBOs are social and cultural entities with potential to influence knowledge,attitude and behaviour for HIV/AIDS prevention. However, issues related to content, context, culture,
the prevailing AIDS-related stigma alongside religious leaders’ personal characteristics hamper their communication initiatives. Capacity building of leaders as HIV/AIDS communicators and behaviour change facilitators and a collaborative effort between FBOs and health organizations would enhance their HIV/AIDS response
Alcohol consumption and reproductive health risks in rural Central Kenya
No full textObjective:
The goal of the current study is to explore the perceived reproductive health risks associated with alcoholism from the perspective of rural communities in Kenya where abuse of illicit liquor especially among men has become an epidemic.
Methods:
Data for the study were gathered qualitatively through focus groups among community members and in-depth interviews with opinion leaders and key informants who were selected through a snowball method. All recorded data were analyzed through constructivist and interpretive techniques, which started with a line-by-line examination of transcripts for identification of emerging themes.
Results:
Rural communities are aware of the lethal nature of the illicit liquor and the severe reproductive health problems associated with it among male consumers. Alcoholism also affects women’s sexual and reproductive needs and is attributed to risky sexual behaviors in alcohol-discordant relationships, which puts them at a higher risk of HIV infection.
Conclusions:
Results indicate a need to address alcoholism in rural Kenya as a public health problem focusing on education and understanding of the long-term health consequences. Addressing the impact on male reproductive health is crucial because it impacts the wider community. Given the complex relationship between alcohol abuse and HIV/AIDS, it is also important for prevention interventions to target married women and non-alcohol consumers. Furthermore, engaging communities will ensure development of culture- and gender-specific interventions. Such engagement requires facilitation of health practitioners for development of meaningful community-based initiatives
Communication for HIV/AIDS Prevention in Kenya: Social-Cultural Considerations
No full textThe acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic is spreading fast in Africa in spite of the
various efforts and resources put in place to prevent it. In Kenya, reproductive health programs have
used the mass media and other communication interventions to inform and educate the public about
the disease and to promote behavior change and healthy sexual practices. This effort has led to a
discrepancy between awareness and behavioral change among people of reproductive age. In this
article I examine the discrepancy in Kenya from a communications perspective addressing social
cultural and related factors contributing to the lack of change in behavior and sexual practices. I draw
on the theoretical framework of Grunig’s model of excellence in communication, the importance of
understanding and relationship building between programs and their stakeholders. Data were gathered
qualitatively using focus groups and in-depth interviews among men and women in rural Kenya. Key
findings indicate that although awareness of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS is high in Kenya, a majority of the population, particularly
those in the rural communities, lack understanding of the communicated messages. They also lack the
knowledge of other ways of transmitting HIV particularly among those not sexually involved. Cultural
beliefs, values, norms, and myths have played a role in the rapidly increasing epidemic in the rural
communities and yet HIV/AIDS communication programs have not addressed these factors
adequately. I conclude that successful behavior change communication must include strategies that
focus on increasing understanding of the communicated messages and understanding of the audience
through application of appropriate methodologies. Building a relationship with the audience or
stakeholders through dialogues and two-way symmetrical communication contributes toward this
understanding and the maintenance of the newly adopted behaviors and practices
HIV/AIDS Stigma and Religiosity among African American Women
No full textAfrican American women are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS compared to other
ethnicities, accounting for two-thirds (67%) of all women diagnosed with HIV. Despite their
increased risk of HIV infection, few studies have been conducted to understand culture-specific
factors leading to their vulnerability. Given the central role of religious organizations in African
American communities, this study explored whether and to what extent religiosity plays a role in
stigma toward HIV/AIDS. A survey of 205 African American women in two Midwestern cities
measured the following key variables: 1) religious stigma of HIV/AIDS, 2) religiosity, 3) personal
relevance of HIV/AIDS, 4) knowledge of HIV/AIDS, 5) perceived influence of religion on views
of people with HIV/AIDS, and 6) demographics. Results of hierarchical regression showed that
after controlling for key factors, religiosity was a significant factor predicting the level of religious
stigma (β=-.18, p <.05). Those with high religiosity displayed significantly higher stigma, associating
HIV/AIDS with a curse or punishment from God. Verbatim responses to an open-ended question
also revealed seemingly ingrained prejudice against HIV/AIDS from a religious perspective. The
findings point to the important role of faith-based organizations (FBOs) in addressing HIV/AIDS
issues within African American communities
Gender empowerment through ICTs: potential and challenges for women in the Caribbean
No full textInformation communication technologies (ICTs) have been promoted as tools for national development
and for gender empowerment in many developing countries. In the Caribbean, governments,
non-governmental organizations and training institutes play a key role in ensuring
access to ICTs among women. Gender empowerment is equated to access to information and
technology but there are several concerns related ICT access and their effective use among
women that are not adequately addressed. This study addresses these issues as well as social,
cultural, economic and other factors that challenge women’s access and use of communication
technology. The study recommends further research in policy development to focus on identifies
challenges and strategies that will ensure women’s participation in their own empowerment
through ICTs
Students’ expectations and motivation for service-learning in public relations
No full textThis study is based on a survey of public relations students and examines their attitudes, expectations, and motivations for participating in curriculum-infused service-learning projects. Results indicate that prior participation does not influence attitudes or expectations, but motivation to participate in the project was significantly associated with positive attitude and higher expectations. Students’ expectations, which include social and professional growth, and psychological and altruistic gratification through community contributions, indicate a need for discipline-focused service-learning programs and for a focus on civic engagement given the role of public relations in relationship building and in strategically addressing social issues that impact society
An Examination of Factors Associated With Self-Efficacy for Food Choice and Healthy Eating among Low-Income Adolescents in Three U.S. States
No full textCitation: Muturi NW, Kidd T, Khan T, Kattelmann K, Zies S, Lindshield E and Adhikari K (2016) An Examination of Factors Associated With Self-Efficacy for Food Choice and Healthy Eating among Low-Income Adolescents in Three U.S. States. Front. Commun. 1:6. doi: 10.3389/fcomm.2016.00006Background: Self-efficacy is a crucial component in effective health communication and health promotion interventions and serves as a moderator for behavior change. Although awareness and risk perception are important in the behavior change process, self-efficacy gives people the necessary confidence in their ability to engage in advocated health behaviors. In addressing childhood obesity, self-efficacy plays a crucial role in dietary decisions. Informed by the social cognitive theory, this study examines the personal and environmental factors that determine self-efficacy for healthy food choices and healthy eating among adolescents in low-income communities
Violence against women and girls in the Caribbean: an intervention and lessons learned from Jamaica
No full textThis paper describes the interagency campaign implemented in 1998 that specifically addressed violence against women and girls, documenting the lessons learnt and key findings of the intervention as well as some implications. The terms ‘violence against women (and girls)’ and ‘gender-based violence’ are used synonymously in this paper as in many writings on gender issues. We define gender-based violence as violence based on one’s gender, which is characterized by imbalanced gender relations. Gender is a social construct ascribing feminine or masculine identity and roles to biologically determined female and male persons (Kesselman et al, 1999; Young in Mahammad and Shepherd, 1999). The power imbalance in gender relations is most evident where men and boys are attributed socially higher value than women and girls. Gender-based violence appears mostly as violence against women and girls perpetuated by men and boys, where the “aggressor is often motivated by gender considerations such as the need to reinforce male power and privilege” (Rico, 1997:8). The first section of the paper addresses the theoretical perspectives positing an explanation for the occurrence of gender-based violence. The next section describes the extent of the gender-based violence problem in the Jamaican context through an overview of some cases of violence against women and girls that received media attention. The main body of the paper focuses on the campaign, describing the methods used to gather information as well as the campaign process and challenges. It concludes with the lessons learned and key findings from which future interventions might benefit
Gender, ICTs and health in the Caribbean
No full textThis chapter explores access and use of ICTs in the Caribbean, paying special
attention to their role in the promotion of gender and health issues in the region, and
specifically in Jamaica. In Jamaica progress in the use of ICTs is visibly more
advanced than in the other countries. The Jamaican government has fully supported
this progress financially and technically, implementing policies to support the
application and use of ICTs in national development. Jamaica has set the tone for the
other Caribbean countries, particularly Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Guyana
where ICT policies and IT strategic plans are currently in place. The chapter largely
focuses on the internet because of its widespread influence
