Piscopo, Suzanne (author), Travers, Kim D. (author), and Piscopo: MAHE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Travers: Department of Human Ecology, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Canada
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
1994
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 97 Document Number: C07894
James F. Evans Collection, Ham, Mimeographed, 1994. 1 p. Presented at the Society for Nutrition Education, Portland, OR, July 16-20, 1994., As relatively little is known about the impact on viewers of TV health education programs, the purpose of this study was to utilize health communication theory to evaluate the short term impact of 'The Rhythm of Health' T.V. series on nutrition and health knowledge, attitudes and behaviors fo viewers. A quasi-experimental, single-blind, pre and post-intervention evaluation was conducted during mid-1993 amongst 37 adult volunteers from different occupational fields. The research hypotheses were that there would be significant positive differences between mean score increases in 1) correct factual responses, 2) preferred attitudes, and 3) recommended behaviors, of subjects exposed to the TV series (experimental group) versus those who were not exposed (control group). Both groups completed two quasi-identical, self-administered, validated questionnaires approximately one week before and one week after the intervention (experimental group only) had taken place. Results revealed mean score increases for the exposed group which were generally greater than those of the similar unexposed group for knowledge, attitudes, intended and current behaviors in that order. These findings were, therefore, highly positive and supportive of the K-A-B Learning Hierarchy. Potential links were also suggested between improvement in attitudes and knowledge, and individuals who were less-educated, were light T.V. viewers, and used or preferred television as a source of health information. The findings have implications for planning nutrition and health education via mass media channels.
