Behavior change communication

BCC by health practitioner

BCC in classroom practices

Behavior change communication (BCC) is an interactive process of any intervention with individuals, communities and/or societies (as integrated with an overall program) to develop communication strategies to promote positive behaviors which are appropriate to their settings. This in turn provides a supportive environment which will enable people to initiate, sustain and maintain positive and desirable behavior outcomes.^[1]

BCC is the strategic use of communication to promote positive health outcomes, based on proven theories and models of behavior change. BCC employs a systematic process beginning with formative research and behavior analysis, followed by communication planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. Audiences are carefully segmented, messages and materials are pre-tested, and both mass media and interpersonal channels are used to achieve defined behavioral objectives.

BCC should not be confused with behavior modification, a term with specific meaning in a clinical psychiatry setting.

Background

Providing people with information and teaching them how they should behave does not lead to desirable change in their response/behavior. However, when there is a supportive environment with information and communication (teaching) then there is a desirable change in the behavior of the target group. Thus, BCC is proved to be an instructional intervention which has a close interface with education and communication. It is a strategic and group oriented form of communication to perceive a desired change in behavior of target group.^[2]

Steps

BCC is the comprehensive process in which one passes through the stages:

Unaware > Aware > Concerned > Knowledgeable > Motivated to change > Practicing trial behavior change > Sustained behavior change

It involves the following steps:

1. State program goals
2. Involve stakeholders
3. Identify target populations
4. Conduct formative BCC assessments
5. Segment target populations
6. Define behavior change objectives
7. Define BCC strategy & monitoring and evaluation plan
8. Develop communication products
9. Pretest
10. Implement and monitor
11. Evaluate
12. Analyze feedback and revise

Theories

BCC has several levels at which it can be implemented. Each level includes several theories. Each level (and each theory) employs specific communication channels.

Individual Level

• Health belief theory
• Theory of Reasoned Action and planned behavior
• Stages of change
• Social Learning

Community Level

• Diffusion of innovations theory
• Community mobilization

Change in organizations

• 4 stage change

Public Policy Level

• Distinct stages of initiation, action, implementation, evaluation and re-formulation

Strategies

BCC is different from ordinary instructional method of communication and is target specific. A society consists of many sub-groups. The strategy for BCC will vary from group to group. Following points are important while considering the BCC strategy.^[3]

• Vulnerability/risk factor of the target group.
• The vulnerability/risk factor of the group which is to be addressed.
• The conflict and obstacles in the way to desired change in Behavior.
• Type of message and communication media which can best be used to reach the target group.
• Type of resources available and assessment of existing knowledge of the target group about the issue which is going to be dealt with.

There can be several more points in this list. A successful BCC requires lots of research and meticulous planning about the knowledge content of the subject and behavior/attitude pattern of the target group.^[1]

Implications

BCC is an effective tool for dealing many community and group related problems. BCC has been adapted as an effective strategy for Community Mobilization, health and environment education and various public outreach programs.^[4] Enhanced knowledge about the behavior change process has facilitated the design of communications programs to reduce the risk of HIV transmission and AIDS. A wide variety of health promotion strategies use communication as either an educational or norm-forming strategy. In addition, specific strategies must be designed for high-risk groups such as women, young people, injecting drug abusers, homosexuals and HIV positive groups.^[3]

Role in HIV/AIDS

BCC constitutes of effective communication which is central to the success of interventions to reduce the risk of HIV infection. It plays a role to:^[3][5]

• Increase knowledge
• Stimulate community dialogue
• Promote essential attitude change
• Advocate for policy changes
• Create a demand for information and services
• Reduce stigma and discrimination
• Promote services for prevention and care

See also

• Behavior change (public health)

References

1. "COMMUNICATION/BEHAVIOR CHANGE TOOLS" (PDF). Entertainment-Education (United Nations Population Funds) 1: 1–6. January 2002.
2. "A Tool Box for Building Health Communication Capacity". Retrieved 29 April 2010.
3. Aggleton, P. (April 1997). "Behavior change communication strategies". AIDS Educ Prev. 9 (2): 111–23. PMID 9167797.
4. Woods N., Lisa (2006). BEHAVIOUR CHANGE COMMUNICATION IN EMERGENCIES: A TOOLKIT (PDF). Nepal: United Nations Children’s Fund. p. 246. ISBN 99946-896-1-4.
5. "Behavior Change Communication (BCC) for HIV/AIDS: a strategic framework" (PDF). Family Health International (FHI). September 2002.

External links

• Community Mobilization and Participation
• Behavior Change Communication Tools & Publications: FHI
• Development Communication - a research article by Kumar, Rajesh: https://caluniv.ac.in/Global%20mdia%20journal/Winter%20Issue%20December%20%202011%20Articles/AR-3%20Kumar.pdf