Developing Community-Centred Public Health Communication Frameworks Through Ethnographic Insights and Participatory Research Approaches

Author

Akujo Gbujie

Abstract

 Public health communication depends on how people encounter, interpret and discuss information within their everyday lives. Differences in language, literacy, trust and access to communication channels can limit the relevance and reach of institutional messages. This proposed study will develop a community-centred communication framework by integrating ethnographic inquiry with participatory research. Observation, interviews and communication mapping will explore information practices, local priorities and experiences of existing public health messages. Residents, community organisations and practitioners will jointly interpret findings, prioritise problems and establish design requirements. Co-design activities will produce communication prototypes, which will undergo comprehension and usability testing before pilot implementation. Evaluation will examine reach, understanding, accessibility, participant influence and the feasibility of maintaining the framework. Outcomes will be compared across relevant groups to identify unequal participation or unintended exclusion. A documented decision trail will connect field evidence with design choices and revisions. The study will clarify how contextual understanding and shared decision-making can inform responsive communication while identifying institutional barriers requiring wider action. Findings will guide local adaptation and establish priorities for further evaluation before broader use across public health settings.

Keywords

Community-centred communication, ethnographic research, participatory research, public health, community co-design, health equity.

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References

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