Cultural identity and health promotion: Assessing a health education program targeting African immigrants in France

Whembolua, Guy-Lucien S. (author)
Conserve, Donaldson F. (author)
Ilunga Tshiswaka, Daudet (author)

The Journal of Pan African Studies

1942-6569

8

2

23

39

2015

The number of African immigrants from Africa south of the Sahara residing in continental France has been steadily rising in the past decades. In 2008, the “Toi-meme tu sais!” campaign, a short program initiated by the French health Ministry and the French National Institute of Prevention and Health Education targeting the health of Africans living in France was launched. The first season consisted of five web episodes that combined entertainment and health messages. Each episode focused on a specific health issue (malaria, emergency birth control, accidents, HIV stigma, nutrition) and were accessible on the campaign website. Using the PEN-3 model of cultural sensitivity as an analytical framework for a generative method or rhetorical criticism, the objective of this study is to assess the use of the quality or state of being African or of having African origins throughout the messages presented in the first season of the “ Toimeme tu sais!’ (‘You know yourself!’) webserie. Results of the study revealed that positive, existential and negative factors were associated with the use of African identity and health. Future interventions targeting African immigrants residing in France should work to address these factors, as they are necessary to support health equity in the French post-colonial context.

uwf:23594