Theoretical Frameworks in Health Education
The health education strategies on which the theory is based are very important, since they may serve as a good foundation for effective intervention. Two of such theories are the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM).
Social Cognitive Theory
SCT considers observational learning, social experiences, and reciprocal determinism as the primary components of behavioral change. SCT holds that humans learn through observation and that such observations are changed by personal factors, environmental cues, and behaviors of others. The significant Andrew, not components of SCT, include self-efficacy, which refers to the certainty one exhibits in being able to carry out certain behaviors, and outcome expectations, which are the consequences that one predicts.
The Extended Parallel Process Model
The EPPM describes people’s response to a fear appeal in a health message. It proposes that people learn the level of severity and susceptibility to a threat that they have and their efficacy in managing the threat High perceived threat and self-efficacy will induce adaptive changes, and high threat and low self-efficacy will yield defensive maladaptive responses. EPPM has been applied to design effective health communication messages with the aim of motivating protective health behavior.
Plain Evidences and Case Studies
There have been quite a few studies that proved the effectiveness of health education in bringing about a change in behavior. Some of the major findings of the key research studies have been highlighted below:
Media Influence on Health Behaviors
It has been clearly demonstrated that, in general, mass communication is quite influential in health behaviors. For instance, exposure to health-promoting messages via television and other forms of mass media was proven to create knowledge and healthier behavior, for that matter. The generic stand of cultivation theory, therefore, is a little bit constraining in its claim that long-term exposure to media content develops perceptions of social reality and, in turn, behavior about health behaviors.
Self-Efficacy and Health Behaviors
Several findings have firmly established self-efficacy as a mediator between knowledge and actual behavior. There is, for example, evidence to show that diet self-efficacy has been predictive of the readiness of individuals to make changes needed to initiate and maintain positive food intake. Physiological improvements in health outcomes also correspond to interventions that enhance self-efficacy for disease self-management.
Entertainment-Education and Behavioral Change
This has been designed to insert educational messages into entertainment programming and has successfully led to the practice of health behavior. A radio soap opera in Tanzania was successful in increasing the use of family planning and self-efficacy for contraception. EE uses narrative engagement and identification with characters to facilitate behavioral change.
School-based Health Interventions
Health behavior curricular school-based interventions, for example, tobacco prevention and promotion of physical activity, are successful over the long term. Examples are studies like the Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health, or CATCH, in which multi component interventions have been shown to diminish fat intake and increase physical activity in participating students.
