Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays a pivotal role in Social and Behavior Change (SBCC) initiatives. ICT is defined in this package as electronic digital communication and information technology that is intended to directly improve the effectiveness and efficiency of project interventions.
ICT is a component of a larger initiative within international socioeconomic development. It involves utilizing various digital electronic tools to improve social and behavior change by enhancing the user experience, improving communication channels, and increasing the ability of individuals to learn from others. This is beyond just Information Technology in that ICT is a “marriage” of stand-alone computing and telecommunication technologies allowing for the critically important role of data capture, storage, manipulation and presentation.
Many SBCC programs creatively integrate mobile phone-based technology, also known as “mobile health” or “mhealth”, as a key component of their ICT approach. In addition to mobile phone technology to improve population health through SBCC, this package expands to include other technologies and approaches that might help to strengthen your project or program. The tools and resources here introduce the range of innovations currently available. Yet this pool is continually expanding and it is critical to pay attention to new and exciting uses of ICT practices and tools in initiating behavior change. We welcome feedback and comments on the tools, resources, and examples provided in this package.
This page includes tools to learn more about ICT and specifically about ICT implementation within a SBCC framework. Strong examples of ICT SBCC public health interventions in this page further highlight what ICT looks like “on the ground.”
Tools
- The mHealth Planning Guide: Key Considerations for Integrating Mobile Technology into Health Programs – https://toolkits.knowledgesuccess.org/toolkits/mHealth-planning-guide/planning-tools
The Guide helps individuals and organizations appropriately plan for mHealth deployments.
- Using Social Media to Influence Positive Behavior Change:http://www.slideshare.net/kellyevans100/using-social-media-to-influence-pos…
This is a slideshow presentation on utilizing social media for SBCC
- Social Media and Behavior Change http://www.slideshare.net/maxstjohn/social-media-and-behaviour-change
This is a slideshow presentation on integrating social media into planning SBCC interventions
- CDC’s Guide for Writing for Social Media – http://www.cdc.gov/socialmedia/Tools/guidelines/pdf/GuidetoWritingforSocial…
This provides suggestions and guidelines for writing for various social media applications
- Video tools on mHealth – http://www.jhumhealth.org/events/speakers-bureau
This is a series of videos from experts in the field discussing mHealth tools, interventions, and campaigns focused on SBCC
- CDC Social Media Tools – http://www.cdc.gov/socialmedia/tools/index.html
This is a repository and description of various social media tools and applications
- Mass Media Serial Dramas: Theoretical Framework – The Sabido methodology
This is a theoretical framework that describes utilizing mass media for social change
This brief describes how ICTs are impacting behavior change communication in India.
Content Resources
- Baby Center/Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action: http://www.babycenter.com/mama
- Global Health Media Project: http://globalhealthmedia.org
- HealthPhone: http://www.healthphone.org/
- iHeed Animation Library:http://www.iheedcrowd.org/iheedcrowd_media.html
- Medical Aid Films: http://medicalaidfilms.org/
Project Registries
This is a GSMA mHealth repository of mobile health products and services worldwide
The mHealth Working Group collated several of their member projects around the world
This is a registry of mHealth implementations around the globe
A listing of e and mHealth projects and programs
Banner Photo: © 2011 Cameron Taylor, Courtesy of Photoshare
