Optimizing Public Health Crisis Communication: Insights from Technology-Mediated COVID-19 Messaging in Rural Ghana.

IF 3.1 2区医学 Q1 COMMUNICATION

Journal of Health Communication Pub Date : 2024-11-25 DOI:10.1080/10810730.2024.2431310

Andrew A Bayor, Fidelis A Da-Uri, Alloysius T Gumah, George N Gyader

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This paper examines the efficacy of different messaging formats in the context of public health crises and emergencies in rural context. By analyzing usage statistics and user feedback, we assessed the effectiveness of various technology-mediated COVID-19 audio message formats (songs, expert interviews, endorsements, and dramas) delivered using the Amplio Talking Book device to rural communities in Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings indicate that different messaging formats resulted in varying levels of user engagement and interest. Shorter audio messages (1-5 minutes), and endorsements from credible and familiar community stakeholder significantly fostered trust and adoption. Establishing a consistent user feedback loop was essential for providing clarifications, addressing queries, and diffusing disinformation and misinformation, especially considering the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 outbreak. Reflecting on these insights, we discuss effective strategies for creating engaging technology-mediated public health and behavior change messages during public health crises.

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优化公共卫生危机传播：加纳农村地区以技术为媒介的 COVID-19 信息传播的启示。

本文探讨了在农村地区发生公共卫生危机和紧急情况时不同信息形式的有效性。通过分析使用统计数据和用户反馈，我们评估了在 COVID-19 大流行期间使用 Amplio Talking Book 设备向加纳农村社区发送的各种以技术为媒介的 COVID-19 音频信息格式（歌曲、专家访谈、代言和戏剧）的有效性。我们的研究结果表明，不同的信息形式会引起不同程度的用户参与和兴趣。较短的音频信息（1-5 分钟）以及来自可信和熟悉的社区利益相关者的认可极大地促进了信任和采用。特别是考虑到 COVID-19 疫情爆发的空前性质，建立一致的用户反馈回路对于提供澄清、解决疑问以及消除虚假信息和错误信息至关重要。通过对这些见解的反思，我们讨论了在公共卫生危机期间创建以技术为媒介的引人入胜的公共卫生和行为改变信息的有效策略。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Health Communication Multiple-

CiteScore

5.60

自引率

4.50%

发文量

期刊介绍： Journal of Health Communication: International Perspectives is the leading journal covering the full breadth of a field that focuses on the communication of health information globally. Articles feature research on: • Developments in the field of health communication; • New media, m-health and interactive health communication; • Health Literacy; • Social marketing; • Global Health; • Shared decision making and ethics; • Interpersonal and mass media communication; • Advances in health diplomacy, psychology, government, policy and education; • Government, civil society and multi-stakeholder initiatives; • Public Private partnerships and • Public Health campaigns. Global in scope, the journal seeks to advance a synergistic relationship between research and practical information. With a focus on promoting the health literacy of the individual, caregiver, provider, community, and those in the health policy, the journal presents research, progress in areas of technology and public health, ethics, politics and policy, and the application of health communication principles. The journal is selective with the highest quality social scientific research including qualitative and quantitative studies.