Health-related media use among youth audiences in Senegal

Abstract

Lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are experiencing rapid changes in access to and use of new internet and digital media technologies. The purpose of this study was to better understand how younger audiences are navigating traditional and newer forms of media technologies, with particular emphasis on the skills and competencies needed to obtain, evaluate and apply health-related information, also defined as health and media literacy. Sixteen focus group discussions were conducted throughout Senegal in September 2012 with youth aged 15-25. Using an iterative coding process based on grounded theory, four themes emerged related to media use for health information among Senegalese youth. They include the following: (i) media utilization; (ii) barriers and conflicts regarding media utilization; (iii) uses and gratifications and (iv) health and media literacy. Findings suggest that Senegalese youth use a heterogeneous mix of media platforms (i.e. television, radio, internet) and utilization often occurs with family members or friends. Additionally, the need for entertainment, information and connectedness inform media use, mostly concerning sexual and reproductive health information. Importantly, tensions arise as youth balance innovative and interactive technologies with traditional and conservative values, particularly concerning ethical and privacy concerns. Findings support the use of multipronged intervention approaches that leverage both new media, as well as traditional media strategies, and that also address lack of health and media literacy in this population. Implementing health-related interventions across multiple media platforms provides an opportunity to create an integrated, as opposed to a disparate, user experience.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) awareness and vaccine receptivity among Senegalese adolescents

“…The study team developed a quantitative survey instrument to measure HPV awareness and vaccine receptivity among a diverse sample of Senegalese youth. Survey question content was based on formative research conducted among similar youth populations in urban and rural areas of Senegal , as well as a conceptual model developed by the study team that identifies determinants and supporting factors of health information seeking . Several of the questions were adapted from the Senegal DHS survey .…”

A qualitative study to explore the barriers and enablers for young people with disabilities to access sexual and reproductive health services in Senegal

“…Studies on young people's access to SRH information and services in Senegal, while limited in number, have revealed that knowledge about SRH issues remains very low. 9 Provider attitudes are also reported to have a detrimental effect on demand and access to SRH services, 10,11 a finding that resonates back to a paper from 2002. 12 Older literature also highlights uncertainty over whether young people are legally allowed to access key SRH services.…”

Understanding where and why Senegalese adolescents and young adults access health information: A mixed methods study examining contextual and personal influences on health information seeking

“…22 When developing the guide, we assumed an expanded health and media literacy framework conceptualized as the skills and competencies needed to obtain, evaluate, and apply health-related information. 23 Health information seeking was one of the dimensions included in this framework.…”

“…Our study’s focus is especially salient to the sub-Saharan Africa region, where the rapidly evolving information technology environment 20,21 has recently granted access to new health information sources. Senegal is one of the region’s leading adopters of new media technologies 22 and thus represents an important model for the study of how younger audiences are currently accessing health information and the reasons they use these different sources. Using a mixed methods approach that integrates qualitative insights with quantitative statistics, we interpret the multifaceted influences of health information seeking in Senegal and help reveal which communication channels should be used to effectively reach and influence younger populations.…”