To Say or Not To Say: The Influence of Interpersonal Communication Message Structure on Child Nutrition Promotion

Authors

  • Florence Tsuma Technical University of Mombasa
  • Prof. Hellen Mberia Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
  • Prof. Idah Muchunku Multimedia University of Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47604/ijcpr.2394

Keywords:

Interpersonal Communication, Child Nutrition

Abstract

Purpose: This study analyzed the influence of Interpersonal Communication (IPC) message structure in the promotion child nutrition. The study which was guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM) and employed the mixed methods research design.

Methodology: A sample of 10 Health Professionals (HPs) drawn from Public Healthcare facilities and 247 residents with children aged 5 years and below was drawn from Ganze Constituency in Kilifi County. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics while thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data.

Findings: The study found that incorporation of the 7Cs of effective communication was vital in Health Communication and Behaviour Change Communication specifically from a child nutrition perspective, with the strongest effect achieved through messages that were both concrete and coherent. Additionally, the ethos appeal proved to be the most powerful appeal in child nutrition communication.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends that communicators should ensure child nutrition messages are packaged in line with the 7Cs of effective communication. It also recommends for audience analysis research prior to the dissemination of CNI messages to ensure messages are structured using the appropriate tone, stylistic devices and persuasion appeals.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Amarch, D. (2022). Health literacy and doctor-patient communication among HIV/AIDS patients in Homa Bay county, Kenya. PHD Thesis in Health Communication. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Balint, K., & Bilandzi H. (2017). Health Communication through Media Narratives: Factors, Processes, and Effects. International Journal of Communication. 11, 4858-4864

Bello,O. (2017). Effective Communication in Nursing Practice: A literature review. (Bachelors Thesis, Förnamn Efternamn).

Boeynaems, A., Burgers, C., Konjin, E.,& Steen, G. (2017). The Effects of Metaphorical Framing on Political Persuasion: A Systematic Literature Review. Metaphor and Symbol. 32(2). 118- 134, DOI: 10.1080/10926488.2017.1297623

Conner, M & Norman, P. (2022). Comprehensive Clinical Psychology. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-12-822232-4

Carpenter CR, Sherbino J.(2010). How does an "opinion leader" influence my practice?. CJEM.12(5):431-4. doi: 10.1017/s1481803500012586

Clark. J., Wegener D., Habashi, M. & Evans A. (2011). Source Expertise and Persuasion: The Effects of Perceived Opposition or Support on Message Scrutiny. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 3(1). 90-100 https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167211420733

County Government of Kilifi. (2018). Kilifi County Integrated Development Plan 2018 - 2022: "Towards Realizing People-Focused Transformation for Wealth Creation". Retrieved from: www.kilifi.go.ke

Han, B., & Fink, E. L. (2012). How do statistical and narrative evidence affect persuasion?: The role of evidentiary features. Argumentation and Advocacy, 49, 39-58

IFPRI. 2016. Global Nutrition Report 2016: From Promise to Impact: Ending Malnutrition by 2030. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

Johnson & Witte (2003) Johnson, L., & Witte, K. (2003). Looking toward the future: Health message design strategies.In T. L. Thompson, A. M. Dorsey, K. I. Miller, & R. Parrott (Eds.), Handbook of health communication. Mahwah, NJ, US: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers. Pp. 473-495.

Kamenwa, R. (2017). State of nutrition in Kenya. Department of Pedeatrics and Child Health Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, KPA Annual Conference Kisumu, 25th -27th April 2017

Merlino, J. (2017). Communication: A Critical Healthcare Competency. Retrieved from: https://www.psqh.com/analysis/communication-critical-healthcare-competency/

Ministry of Health, Republic of Kenya. (2014). National Health Communication Guidelines in Kenya. Nairobi: Government Printer

Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, Republic of Kenya. (2012). National Communication Strategy for Community Health Services. Nairobi, Kenya. Government of Kenya.

Muchunku, I. (2015). Opinion leadership strategies for communicating adaptive climate change information to residents of Kitui Central Constituency in Kenya. (Doctoral Thesis, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya). Retrieved from: http://ir.jkuat.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1771

Muthusmay, N,. Levine, T, & Weber R. (2009). Scaring the Already Scared: Some Problems with HIV/AIDS Fear Appeals in Namibia. Journal of Communication, 5(2), 317-344

Naidoo, J & Wills, J. (2016). Foundations for Health Promotion (4th Ed). Amsterdam: Elsevier

Northrop M, Crow J&Kraszewski. (2016). Studying for a foundation degree in health. New York: Routledge

O'Keefe, D.J. (2012). The Argumentative Structure of Some Persuasive Appeal Variations. Topical Themes in Argumentation Theory.

Romanova, I & Marino, A & Ibrahim, A. (2022). The 7 Cs of a successful Communication. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359025491_The_7_Cs_of_a_successful_Comm unication

Rosenstock, I.M., Strecher, V.J. and Becker, M.H. (1994) The Health Belief Model and HIV Risk Behavior Change. In: DiClemente, R.J. and Peterson, J.L., Eds., Preventing AIDS Theories and Methods of Behavioral Interventions, Plenum Press, New York, 5-24.

Saunders, G. H., Frederick, M. T., Silverman, S., & Papesh, M. (2013). Application of the health belief model: Development of the hearing beliefs questionnaire (HBQ) and its associations with hearing health behaviors. International Journal of Audiology, 52(8), 558-567.

Seidman, G. (2020, March 19). The Best Tactics for Convincing People to Stop the Spread Part1&2: How do you convince people to take precautions against COVID-19? [Blogpost]. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/close-encounters/202003/the-best-tactics-convincing-people-stop-the-spread

Thompson, T., Parrott, R., & Nussbaum, J. F. (Eds.) (2011). The Routledge Handbook of Health Communication. New York: Routledge.

Tyagi, S., & Rathi, N. (2015). Effectiveness of "7Cs of communication" in the teaching of mathematics at elementary school level. International Journal of Applied Research. 1(13): 377-382

WHO. (2020). Communicating risk in public health emergencies A WHO guideline for emergency risk communication (ERC) policy and practice. Geneva: World Health Organization

Wright K, Sparks, L& O'Hair D. (2012).Health Communication in the 21st Century. New Jersey: John Wiley & Son

Downloads

Published

2024-03-05

How to Cite

Tsuma , F., Mberia, H., & Muchunku, I. (2024). To Say or Not To Say: The Influence of Interpersonal Communication Message Structure on Child Nutrition Promotion. International Journal of Communication and Public Relation, 9(2), 61–70. https://doi.org/10.47604/ijcpr.2394

Issue

Section

Articles