The effectiveness of mass media campaigns in increasing the use of seat belts: A systematic review

Background: Cancer presents an increasing burden for Asian countries and cancer-related deaths have been predicted to increase from 4.1 million in 2008 to 7.5 million in 2030 in Asia. Low-middle income countries are recommended to prioritize public education as a first step toward cancer prevention and early detection. Mass media campaigns have been found to be effective in increasing cancer awareness and screening uptake in western countries as well as cost-effective in reducing morbidity and mortality. A number of studies have used mass and or small media components in Asian countries. Aim: This systematic review aims to deliver an overview of small and mass media campaigns in Asia and to assess their effectiveness in improving cancer awareness. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Gray literature and Google Scholar for relevant literature. Furthermore, we hand-search reference lists of relevant reviews and studies and run a search in relevant journals individually. Peer-reviewed studies that were published in the English language before September 2017 and targeted adults aged 18 year or over in Asia, were included. We excluded studies targeting minority populations living abroad as well as studies that included individual or group components in addition to the media components. Results: The search identified 10,676 titles after removal of duplicates. A total of 479 titles were included in the abstract screen and 51 articles were included in the full-text screen. The full-text screen is currently ongoing and the results will be presented at the conference. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review summarizing the effectiveness of media campaigns to improve cancer awareness in Asia. The full results of the systematic review will be valuable to inform future mass and small media campaigns in Asian countries.

Download Full-text

Mass media campaigns to reduce unnecessary caesarean sections: a systematic review

BMJ Global Health ◽

10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001935 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. e001935 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Maria Regina Torloni ◽

Vanessa Brizuela ◽

Ana Pilar Betran

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Mass Media ◽

Health Communication ◽

Media Campaigns ◽

Lay People ◽

Specific Objective ◽

Global Health Issue ◽

Registration Number ◽

Text Reading ◽

Communication Interventions

IntroductionThe worldwide increase in unnecessary caesarean sections (CSs) is a major global health issue. Mass media campaigns have been used in several countries to reduce this trend. The objectives of this systematic review were to identify, critically appraise and synthesise the findings, including the barriers and enablers, of mass media campaigns directed at lay people to reduce unnecessary CS.MethodsWe included any study design that reported health communication mass media campaigns directed at lay people with the specific objective of reducing unnecessary CS, created by any agent, in any format. We searched seven electronic databases without language restrictions, from inception to February 2019. Experts in the field were contacted.ResultsThe search yielded 14 320 citations; 50 were selected for full-text reading; and one was included. Six other reports were included. The seven campaigns were conducted in 2009–2017, mostly in Latin America. Most campaigns were independent efforts by non-governmental or activist organisations. Only one campaign conducted formative research and pretested the intervention. All campaigns used indirect communication, mostly through internet channels; two campaigns also used direct communication with the public. None assessed their effects on CS rates. Only two campaigns measured their impacts on participants’ knowledge, attitudes and birth preferences but only in the short term. The main barriers were lack of financial and human resources. The main enablers were the enthusiasm of volunteers, the participation of famous persons/celebrities and the involvement of communication professionals.ConclusionsThere are few mass media campaigns directed at lay people to reduce CS. Most campaigns did not use key principles recommended for the creation and implementation of health communication interventions, and none assessed their effects in reducing CS rates. If media campaigns can play a role in modifying population views towards CS, there is a need for more rigorous studies including impact assessment.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019120314.

Download Full-text