Formal and Semiotic Analysis of Health Campaign Posters in Nigeria

Abstract

Mass media campaigns are widely used to expose high proportions of large population to messages through routine uses of existing media such as television, radio, newspapers, posters and bill board. Such campaigns are frequently competing with factors such as pervasive product marketing, powerful social norms and behaviour driven by addiction or habit. In this review, we discuss how gestures, signs and symbols aid in interpreting messages displayed on health campaign posters, in the various health-risk behaviour such as the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, heart diseases risk factor, sex related behaviors, road safety, cancer screening and prevention, child survival and organ or blood donation. We conclude that mass media campaigns of health posters are very sensitive to the society. It is therefore very pertinent that posters are used because of its numerous advantages which can produce positive changes in health related behaviours across large populations.