ASSESSING PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH FOR EFFECTIVE DESIGN OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION

Thesis Abstract

The aim of this research is to determine the levels of participation in all the stages of the production of the radio programFlava. Health interventions are beginning to incorporate the use of audience participation in their research process although for some, participation is just a talk rather than a walk.The major objectives of this thesis are to assess participatory research in health interventions for effective communication and behaviour change; determine the extent to which the audience is involved in the research process of the radio programme Flava and establish how the participatory approach to research in the production of Flava can be used in radio programming. Flavatried to use participatory approaches in every aspect of production therefore thiswork attempts to look at how well the audience was involved and its corresponding effect in the overall output of the program. It also tried to find gaps in their research approaches and proffer solutions to the processes of health communication and research. The findings of this research imply that participation is key in any health intervention although it is hardly possible to involve all stakeholders in a community of a diverse nature. Young people who participate in any behaviour change intervention are more likely to change their behaviour rather than those who do not or who have no opportunity to participate.The recommendations revolve around empowerment of health communicators with expertise and skills to help them communicate better and more effectively.