ASSESSING PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH FOR EFFECTIVE DESIGN OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION

Thesis Overview

<p>The concept of communication as an effective change tool for development has evolved over the last three decades. The conceptual framework for communication has since expanded considerably. The key elements of development communication for social change emphasise audience participation both as a social and an individual process (Baylis and Smith, 2001).<br>The end of World War II brought about drastic changes to economic systems around the world. The United States of America pushed for the creation of a group of governmental and non-governmental institutions tied innately to it in order to stop poverty, hunger and disease in the third world while fostering development and growth (Baylis and Smith, 2001). They further argued that the initial phase witnessed the dominant development paradigm based on the experiences of the industrial revolution in Europe and U.S.A and the emergence of a capital intensive technology era that are equated to economic growth. During this period, it was assumed that development could be achieved easily through transfer of western technology.<br>Development was thought to be triggered by the wide-scale diffusion and adoption of modern technologies. Such modernization was planned in the national capitals under the guidance and direction of experts brought in from developed countries. Often, the people in the villages who are the “objects” of these plans would first learn that “development” was on the way when strangers from the city turned up, frequently.<br><br></p>