This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Tanvatanakul, V. Articles by Saowakontha, S. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Management of communication channels for health information in the community

Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Portugal, vasuton{at}buu.ac.th, Faculty of Public Health, Burapha University, Thailand

Joao Amado

Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Portugal

Sastri Saowakontha

Faculty of Public Health, Burapha University, Thailand

Object To investigate channels for communication of health information to various groups in the community.

Design An exploratory cross sectional design was used, followed by focus groups of selected participants to confirm and clarify the findings.

Setting Five levels of sub-district administration organizations were selected from different districts of Chonburi Province, Thailand.

Method A survey using a self-administered questionnaire was carried out. Survey data were collected, analyzed then verified by observation and focus groups conducted in each community.

Results Most people (78.7 per cent) receive health information everyday. The internet was an information source used frequently by those respondents less than 35 years of age (45.5 per cent). Health information was received by mobile telephone message, wireless systems and satellite televisions mostly by people less than 35 or 35—44 years old (33.3 and 38.1 per cent respectively). Receipt of health information from television, newspaper and radio was most common in the 35—44 and 45—54 year age groups (29.9 and 30.1 per cent). Distributed or central loudspeaker systems were cited as a source most often by people in the 45—54 year age group (36.0 per cent).

Conclusion Findings lead to recommend coordination of health communications, using the internet for health information, preparing for coordination of messages on wireless systems and other new technologies for people in rapidly developing countries. Common communication channels are still useful especially in rural areas. Various interest groups should participate in developing their own models of communication, management, and evaluation for strengthening health development.

Key Words: community health behaviour • community involvement • health communication channel • health communication management • health information

Health Education Journal, Vol. 66, No. 2, 173-178 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0017896907076755


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?