Information and Communication Technology

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 […]

— July 3, 2014

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 Guide helps individuals and organizations appropriately plan for mHealth deployments.

This is a slideshow presentation on utilizing social media for SBCC

This is a slideshow presentation on integrating social media into planning SBCC interventions

This provides suggestions and guidelines for writing for various social media applications

This is a series of videos from experts in the field discussing mHealth tools, interventions, and campaigns focused on SBCC

This is a repository and description of various social media tools and applications

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

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