Social communication network analysis of the role of participatory research in the adoption of new fish consumption behaviors

被引:29
作者
Mertens, Frederic [1 ]
Saint-Charles, Johanne [2 ]
Mergler, Donna [2 ]
机构
[1] Univ Brasilia, Ctr Desenvolvimento Sustentavel, BR-70910900 Brasilia, DF, Brazil
[2] Univ Quebec Montreal, Montreal, PQ, Canada
关键词
Brazil; Social networks; Participatory research; Community; Fish advisories; Mercury; Gender; Ecohealth; Dietary change; Health behavior; CONTRACEPTIVE BEHAVIOR; REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH; METHYLMERCURY EXPOSURE; MERCURY CONTAMINATION; SPOUSAL COMMUNICATION; OPINION LEADERS; PUBLIC-HEALTH; DIFFUSION; COMMUNITY; RISKS;
D O I
10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.10.016
中图分类号
R1 [预防医学、卫生学];
学科分类号
1004 ; 120402 ;
摘要
The formulation and communication of fish advisories are highly complex because of the potential conflict between the nutritional and toxicological issues associated with fish consumption. Government and organization-sponsored fish advisories have had limited success in changing behaviors. Participatory approaches may enhance the understanding of complex issues and the adoption of new behaviors. Here we used social network analysis to investigate the adoption of dietary changes within the context of a community participatory research project. In the Brazilian Amazon, many communities are highly exposed to methylmercury from fish consumption. A participatory intervention based on dietary changes aimed at reducing methylmercury exposure while maintaining fish consumption was initiated in 1995. In 2001, we collected data on individual participation in the research, on the discussion network regarding mercury issues and on changes in fish consumption from 96 of the 110 village households. More than half of men and women had adopted new fish consumption behavior to reduce mercury exposure. Adoption was associated with participation in the research project for both women and men, and with a higher number of discussion partners about mercury issues for women. Adoption was likewise associated with the presence of a female communication partner in the personal networks of both men and women. At the household level, men and women who considered their spouse as a discussion partner were more likely to adopt than those who did not. Opinion leadership was associated with change in fish consumption only for women. We discuss the contribution of community participation and communication networks to overcome the difficulties in generating complex messages that take into account both health benefits and risks of fish consumption. We also discuss the relevance of building preventive health programs based on participatory research approaches and the roles and relations specific to men and women. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
引用
收藏
页码:643 / 650
页数:8
相关论文
共 70 条
[1]   Cytogenetic damage related to low levels of methyl mercury contamination in the Brazilian Amazon [J].
Amorim, AIM ;
Mergler, D ;
Bahia, MO ;
Dubeau, H ;
Miranda, D ;
Lebel, J ;
Burbano, RR ;
Lucotte, M .
ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS, 2000, 72 (04) :497-507
[2]  
[Anonymous], 1995, Network Models of the Diffusion of Innovations
[3]   Family planning and sexual behavior in the era of HIV/AIDS: The case of Nakuru District, Kenya [J].
Bauni, EK ;
Jarabi, BO .
STUDIES IN FAMILY PLANNING, 2000, 31 (01) :69-80
[4]   Spousal communication and family planning behavior in Navrongo: A longitudinal assessment [J].
Bawah, AA .
STUDIES IN FAMILY PLANNING, 2002, 33 (02) :185-194
[5]   Couples and reproductive health: A review of couple studies [J].
Becker, S .
STUDIES IN FAMILY PLANNING, 1996, 27 (06) :291-306
[6]   Social networks and changes in contraceptive use over time: Evidence from a longitudinal study in rural Kenya [J].
Behrman, JR ;
Kohler, HP ;
Watkins, SC .
DEMOGRAPHY, 2002, 39 (04) :713-738
[7]  
Borgatti S.P., 2002, NETDRAW GRAPH VISUAL
[8]  
Borgatti S. P., 2002, Ucinet for Windows: Software for social network analysis (Version 6), DOI [DOI 10.1111/J.1439-0310.2009.01613.X, 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2009.01613.x]
[9]   Indirect exposure to a family planning mass media campaign in Nepal [J].
Boulay, M ;
Storey, JD ;
Sood, S .
JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION, 2002, 7 (05) :379-399
[10]   The relationship of social affiliation and interpersonal discussion to family planning knowledge, attitudes and practice [J].
Boulay, M ;
Valente, TW .
INTERNATIONAL FAMILY PLANNING PERSPECTIVES, 1999, 25 (03) :112-+