Community-based communication strategies to promote infant iron nutrition in northern Canada

Abstract

Objectives. To evaluate innovative communication strategies promoting iron nutrition for infants at risk for iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in a northern Aboriginal community. Study Design. A prospective process evaluation. Methods. A social marketing approach was used in the development, implementation and evaluation of the communication strategies. A post-intervention questionnaire was administered to a sample (n = 45) to evaluate reach and exposure of the strategies, and sales of iron-rich infant foods were examined pre-and post-intervention. Results. Multiple communication channels were associated with an increased awareness of IDA and an increased self-reported use of iron-rich infant food. Radio was the most successful channel for reach and exposure of messages. Iron-rich infant food sales increased from pre-to post-intervention (p < 0.05). Breadth of exposure to cooking activity was more limited; however, participants reported increased confidence in preparing homemade baby food. Conclusions. Communication strategies are a promising strategy for infant IDA prevention where appropriate food is available. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2006;65(1):65-78.)

Process Evaluation in Health Communication Media Campaigns: A Systematic Review

“…26 After an examination of each article’s full text, 46 articles published between 1987 and 2018 met eligibility criteria and were included in this review. Among these articles, the majority (n = 27; 58.9%) were published between 2008 and 2018, 14,30-55 and discussed campaigns that focused on a variety of health issues, including diet and nutrition (n = 8; 17.4%), 17,47,52,56-60 cancer prevention (n = 6; 13.0%), 30,38,42,46,61,62 and sexual health (n = 6; 13.0%). 14,43-45,55,63 Notably, process evaluation procedures and outcomes were the primary focus for the majority of articles (n = 33; 71.7%; Table 3) included in this review.…”

“…Among these, 26 (59.1%) 4,30,31,[33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43]46,49,[54][55][56][57][58]61,62,65,68,69 employed quantitative methods (e.g., surveys and questionnaires, web and social media metrics, media monitoring, and campaign implementation metrics), while 17 (38.6%) also incorporated qualitative methods (e.g., interviews, focus groups, and content analyses) qualifying them as mixed methods evaluation activities. 14,32,44,45,47,48,[50][51][52][53]59,60,64,66,67,70,71 While some articles explicitly defined process evaluation methodology, many articles did not clearly describe sources of implementation data (e.g., materials distribution, campaign post-event, and media placement reports) or how these data were analyzed. Often, counts of implementation activities were reported in the article implying quantitative methods were used.…”

Combating Vaccine Hesitancy: Teaching the Next Generation to Navigate Through the Post Truth Era

“…To effectively communicate the suggested public policy in the post-truth era (when emotions prevail over facts), we recommend utilizing the already existing communication tools in smart ways. Employing all types of communication channels in combination, including interpersonal, community-based, and mass media channels, is preferable as it has a better chance of changing mindsets than a single channel approach (39–41).…”

“…Considering the different stages of cognitive development (Table 1) as well as culture and other factors, public health days and visuals (colorful wall graphics) could be effective community-based tools that can be utilized in schools to raise the awareness of students about the importance of vaccination, disease prevention, and other issues (45). These are credible sources of information and participatory (39, 41). Games together with simulations, using videos or GIFs, are tools to easily depict the impact of vaccination (46).…”

Using metaphorical techniques in focus groups to uncover mothers' feelings about family meals

“…It has been stated that if an idea does not have emotional significance for us, we are not likely to store it and be able to recall it at a later time (Zaltman, 2003). Social marketing campaigns promoting physical activity (Peterson et al, 2005), breast self-examinations (Prentice-Dunn, et al, 2001), the serious consequences of smoking (Farrelly et al, 2002), awareness of the dangers of second-hand smoke (King, et al, 2003), breastfeeding (Lindenberger & Bryant, 2000), and macro- and micro-nutrient intake (de Pee et al, 1998; Verrall, et al, 2006) have also experienced success utilizing messages combining emotional content with a brief factual message.…”