 |
See also the section on 'Working with Groups' in this chapter |
The use of media is a strategy often used in conjunction with other strategies. For example, we might show a video about the effects of smoking as part of a health education session or give someone a fact sheet on the best foods for a healthy heart as part of a brief intervention.
We can think about media as either:
The type and style of the media used in a project will depend on:
|
See also the section on 'Working with Groups' in this chapter |
Various types of printed material are widely used in health education and health promotion. This type of media is particularly effective when used to support one-to-one education (Paul & Redman 1997). You can 'personalise' the material, for example by circling different points on a pamphlet that apply to the person. Videos, on the other hand, are especially useful for training. The person or groups of people can watch the video in the health centre and discuss the information with you.
Below is a list of limited reach media to use with individuals and groups
Type |
Characteristics |
Pamphlets,
brochures, |
- best distributed through service outlets (health centre, women's
centre, council office, stores and so on) - useful in one to one education - useful as part of a brief intervention - useful for passing on information about sensitive issues - can increase knowledge and affect attitudes - more effective if used to support other strategies |
| Newsletters | - can be produced by interested community members and health centre staff - useful for information sharing - can be illustrated for visual reinforcement of the written message |
| Posters | - can provide effective visual representation of an idea - groups can design or produce them themselves - more effective if used to support other strategies T-shirts - support a project theme - reinforces group identity - can be designed by community group |
| Videos | -instructional and motivational - can be stopped for discussion along the way - useful for personal viewing as back-up to other strategies - can be used opportunistically - useful for skills training |
| Songs, dance and stories | - commonly used in Aboriginal culture as a means to instruct - can be created locally and transmitted more widely (see mass media section) - useful for passing on information about sensitive issues - can reinforce traditional values and practices |
| Banners and murals | - useful for awareness raising - provide a visual message - groups can design or produce them themselves - more effective if used to support other strategies |
Based on Egger et al 1993:53-67 and Ewles and Simnett 1985:183-197
|
Ask people to tell you what they see happening in the poster or video. Build on the discussion by adding relevant information | |
|
Sit with people and go though the material with them. Discuss the most important parts and talk about the images. Draw out the important points and make links with their situation | |
|
Give them a copy to take away and think about. They may want to share the information with other people | |
|
See the chapters 'Education for Health' and 'Sharing Health Information' |
This project shows how various types of media were used along with other activities to increase awareness and create an environment for behaviour change. The project was funded through Health Promotion Incentive Funds, administered by the East Arnhem Health Promotion Unit. Galiwin'ku Health Centre staff facilitated the process. The community was involved from the initial decision to apply for funding, to planning the project and implementing the strategies.
This project won a National Heart Foundation award for the Best Nutrition Project in 1997.
| Health Promotion through the Visual Arts Galiwin'ku, a community on Elcho Island in North East Arnhem Land, has just completed an exciting health promotion project using local artists to convey messages on murals. Health staff have been keen to be involved in preventive programs for some time. During September 1996 a meeting was convened of various groups within the community to identify health needs and possible health promotion activities. As a consequence of this meeting, a decision was made to apply for funding for a Health Promotion through the Visual Arts Project. Discussion at the meeting highlighted the need to have health education messages in public places…The project used a community consultation approach and commissioned a local artist to tell health related stories on three separate murals relating to Nutrition, Smoking and Environmental Health. At the completion of each mural, there was a launch and celebration for the community and the theme of each mural was extended over a two week period… Discussions at the Health Centre identified the need for a t-shirt design around a 'No Smoking' theme to be created, so that Health Workers could wear these t-shirts over the promotion time. The school children were asked to design the t-shirts and screen print them… The Council decided to have a Market Day on 'World No Tobacco Day' to coincide with the launch of the Mural…The local 'Salt Water Band' played in the evening and health videos were viewed… Community Projects in conjunction and as a result of the…Project include:
Based on an article by Michelle Dowden printed in 'The Chronicle', Vol 1.3, August 1997, Territory Health Services, Darwin |
The following example is a song about diabetes. It reinforces the health behaviours to prevent diabetes - eating nutritious foods and exercising.
| Diabetes Song sung by Munupi Group A LONG TIME AGO Our grandfathers and grandmothers they used to walk out bush. Chorus This is the name of the bush tucker, Today we are eating white mans' food. It has plenty fat and sugar. Chorus Let's go walking and play games. No sitting around in one place. A song from the 'Bush Tucker Workshop Video'. |