title: The Arts and Health Communication in Uganda: A Light Under the Table.
abstract: This qualitative interview study brings the voices of 27 public health leaders, health communication experts, and artists who work in public health in Uganda together to articulate the principles and practices that make the country a shining example of effective, evidence-based use of the arts for health communication. The specific aim of the study was to identify best practices, theoretical foundations, and other factors that contribute to the success of arts-based health communication campaigns in Uganda. The study presents four primary themes related to use of the arts for health communication in Uganda: (1) the arts empower health communication; (2) the arts engage people emotionally; (3) effective programs are highly structured; and (4) professionalism is critical to program effectiveness. The findings suggest that the arts humanize, clarify, and empower health communication. The arts can attract attention and engage target populations, reduce hierarchical divisions and tensions that can challenge communication between health professionals and community members, make concepts clearer and more personally and culturally relevant, and communicate at an emotional level wherein concepts can be embodied and made actionable. The findings articulate why and how the arts are an effective means for health communication and can guide best practices.
authors.affiliation: a Center for Arts in Medicine , University of Florida.
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sonke
authors.affiliation: a Center for Arts in Medicine , University of Florida.|b College of Nursing and Public Health , South University.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pesata
authors.affiliation: c College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology , Makerere University.
authors.forename: Venny
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nakazibwe
authors.affiliation: d USAID/Communication for Healthy Communities Projects.
authors.forename: Jude
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ssenyonjo
authors.affiliation: a Center for Arts in Medicine , University of Florida.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.affiliation: a Center for Arts in Medicine , University of Florida.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Espino
authors.affiliation: a Center for Arts in Medicine , University of Florida.
authors.forename: Mia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nieves
authors.affiliation: a Center for Arts in Medicine , University of Florida.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khandakji
authors.affiliation: a Center for Arts in Medicine , University of Florida.
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.affiliation: a Center for Arts in Medicine , University of Florida.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kerrigan
mesh_terms: D001154:Art; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D058015:Health Communication / Q000379:methods*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D011634:Public Health; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014454:Uganda