Research

C-Change is conducting research that examines social networks and gender and social norms, while looking at innovative ways to design communication that results in behavior change:

• Social networks are important in diffusing innovations such as anti-malarial insecticide treated bednets, use of family planning methods, and voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT).
• Social norms / gender norms affect both positive and negative health behaviors on a large scale. They can affect whether women are able to make decisions about their own health care, or whether domestic violence is tolerated in a society.
• To improve family planning communication, new technologies such as cell phones and texting are being investigated for the new opportunities they may provide for transmitting messages to help improve family planning and other health behaviors. Indeed more traditional technologies, such a radio and television, are also being tapped for the reach they provide in getting out messages about family planning, malaria prevention and control, and HIV prevention, counseling and testing.