Mainstreaming Social and Behaviour Change Communication into The Curricular of Tertiary Institutions: Experiences of The University for Development Studies

Abstract

Damasus Tuurosong, Amos D. Dordah and Justine Bakuuro

Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) has over the years proved a useful approach in the adoption of positive behaviours in health, education, environment, agriculture and other areas of development. Therefore, tertiary institutions and professional organisations have taken interest in incorporating SBCC into health and social science courses of study. However, universities in Ghana are slow in mounting courses on SBCC. This study adopted an ethnographic methodological approach, desk reviews and interviews in gathering data. The paper examines the extent to which one Ghanaian university which championed the study of SBCC, applied the appropriate techniques in delivering the concepts. The study found that in teaching SBCC, lecturers used lecture format, oral presentations, student projects and case studies as modes of instruction, as against recommended modes of delivery such as mentorship and feedback systems, reflective discussion/writing and problem based scenarios. In spite of this, students scored lecturers very high on their mode of delivering lectures, timely coverage of course content, demonstration of knowledge of SBCC and participatory techniques used at lectures. However, the students scored lecturers low on availability of reading materials and tools for practicals. The study recommends emphasis on practical training of students and provision of required tools and equipment for SBCC training

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