Behaviour change communication targeting four health behaviours in developing countries: A review of change techniques

Behaviour change communication is vital for increasing the enactment of particular behaviours known to promote health and growth. The techniques used to change behaviour are important for determining how successful the intervention is. In order to integrate findings from different interventions, we need to define and organize the techniques previously used and connect them to effectiveness data. This paper reviews 24 interventions and programs implemented to change four health behaviours related to child health in developing countries: the use of bed nets, hand washing, face washing and complementary feeding. The techniques employed are organized under six categories: information, performance, problem solving, social support, materials, and media. The most successful interventions use three or even four categories of techniques, engaging participants at the behavioural, social, sensory, and cognitive levels. We discuss the link between techniques and theories. We propose that program development would be more systematic if researchers considered a menu of technique categories appropriate for the targeted behaviour and audience when designing their studies.

► Reviews 24 health behaviour change interventions in the developing world based on their effectiveness and their behaviour change techniques, with a specific focus on child health.
► Programs used a variety of techniques that were organized into six categories: information, performance, problem solving, social support, materials and media.
► Effective interventions used multiple categories, combining information with performance, problem solving, social support and materials.
► Program development requires a systematic approach whereby multiple techniques engage behavioural, sensory, social, and cognitive modalities of learning.