Identifying effective communication channels in a rural community: A field report from south India.
Article
in English
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-146933
ABSTRACT
Background:
There is scarcity of information on communication channels in rural areas where about 38% of people are illiterate.Objective:
To identify the channels of communication available in rural areas by interviewing key informants.Method:
This study was conducted in 51 villages of Ellapuram block, Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu in the year 2004. Key informants selected from the villages were interviewed by a Medical Social Worker. The questionnaire included information on modes of communication channels, availability of markets, public facilities, and local associations.Result:
The study block included 9893 households covering a population of 39255. Their main occupation was agriculture (86%). Electricity was available in all the villages. More than 80% of the villagers had community TV/cable connections, >50% of the villages had cinema star fan associations, mahila mandals, youth clubs, self-help groups, anganwadi centres and ration shops. The main source of communication as per interview was television (100%), wallposters (55%); publicity through panchayat office meetings (53%) and dandora or beat of drums(43%).Conclusion:
Main communication channels, commonly used to disseminate information were TV and wall posters. More than 50% of villages had local associations which can be used for effective communication. This information is vital for disseminating important information on public health programmes and educating the rural community.
Full text:
Available
Index:
IMSEAR (South-East Asia)
Language:
English
Year:
2006
Type:
Article
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