MST- Department of Communication, Media, Film & Theatre Studies

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Browsing MST- Department of Communication, Media, Film & Theatre Studies by Subject "HIV/AIDS"

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    Interrogation of Documentary Film as a Tool for Advocacy for Positive Living with HIV/AIDS in Siaya County, Kenya.
    (Kenyatta University, 2022) Were, Benedict Wasiche; Emmanuel Shikuku Tsikhungu; Zippora Okoth
    Although there is sufficient knowledge on HIV/AIDS, the disease has continued to cause devastation in society. The larger Nyanza Region has recorded a high HIV/AIDS prevalence at 15.1% with Siaya County recording 21% HIV/AIDS prevalence. The deep-seated resentment of people living with HIV/AIDS has been perceived as a factor in the spread of HIV/AIDS which has been portrayed as a death sentence. Since documentaries play a key role in providing information to the public, this study interrogated the agency of documentary film in advocacy that highlights positive living with the virus. It interrogated three areas of documentary film making which included characterisation, documentary voice, imaging and depiction through cinematography, scripting and editing as well as the narrative styles which include structure, plot and dialogue. Being a qualitative study, it did obtain data through FGDs, in-depth interviews and content analysis. The researcher employed semiotics and reception theory in undertaking the study, and through these theories, eading of texts was made possible. It was thus established that every filmmaker has a message they intend to advance, either consciously or subconsciously as they entertain or inform. The study found that People Living with HIV AIDS (PLWHA) have been characterised as having poor health and living on the compassion of others. The study also established that PLWHA cannot be identified from their physical looks, and neither is death an absolute end to an infected person. The study observes herein that the documentary film production on HIV/AIDS, do impact on the perceived role of the films as vehicles for advocating for positive living through cinematic explorations. The study then concludes that filmmakers must not mislead the audiences by assigning a point of view that is biased and inclined to reflect negatively on certain people and places. Researchers and filmmakers will find this study useful as it may offer guidance on how to reimagine telling the story of PLWHA to the world through documentaries. The findings will also contribute to the body of knowledge on producing documentaries touching on PLWHA.
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    Voice Language in Documentary Films on HIV/AIDS Geared Towards Behavior Change Among Rural Dwellers in Kisumu County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2022) Osome, Antony; Emmanuel Shikuku Tsikhungu; Oliver Mbayi Omuyoma
    When there are literary challenges, the effectiveness of film as an educational prevention tool exhibits improved long-term retention, perceivably, through effective voice language use in BCC films. This study intended to identify, analyse and interrogate the significance of voice languages as used in BCC Films geared towards risk behaviour change in documentaries on HIV/AIDS among rural dwellers of North West Kisumu. In doing so, four Kenyan BCC documentary films on HIV/AIDS, Deadly Catch (2005) by David Gough, Aids Prevalence in Nyanza (2013) by Baraka Karama, Kitoweo Cha Mauti (2016) by Cecilia Wakesho, and Fishers of Pain (2016) by Timothy Otieno were analysed for their choice and use of voice language in advancing BCC. The Audience Reception Theory and Entertainment-Education (E-E) for Behavioural Change Model were adopted as the frame of reference through which the study was anchored. This study employed the Sequential Mixed Methods Research Design in which priority was given to qualitative data collection and analysis, whose findings informed the development of quantitative data collection and analysis tools. Using purposive sampling, three Community Groups in North West Kisumu were selected. A sample of 89 and 14 participants were drawn for the survey and FGDs respectively. Despite qualitative findings having established that the bulk of Kenyan HIV/AIDS BCC documentaries depict multilingual circumstances, statistical findings established that English took up the larger share (57%) of the verbal sound track. It was then established that message comprehension is a big challenge to those audiences that do not fully understand English and Kiswahili. The study also observed that with regard to the voice language used, audiences often strove to understand the documentaries either through individual efforts or assistance from others. While the findings confirmed that several factors lead to certain choice of voice languages in BCC documentary films, the dominant of these factors were identified as producer/director style and preference in production aesthetics which often overlooks audience preferences. One surprising finding in this regard was that despite a majority (86.8%) of the audiences preferring a mix of languages, most BCC documentaries had more English hence hampering comprehension as was evidenced through re-narration and subsequent application of acquired knowledge to their everyday life experiences and expectations. The findings of this study also assert the hypothesis that voice language used in has a significant effect on communicating that intended message through the BCC documentary. Finally, this study concludes that Voice language plays a crucial role in enhancing an audience’s comprehension especially of change messages, with an almost near equal measure of weight as Mise-en-scene. The findings of this study lays a foundation for debate on the essence of the verbal sound track in Kenyan BCC documentaries and films. The recommendations of this study base on the fact that, understanding factors related to HIV/AIDS transmission, behaviour and practices is invaluable in designing appropriate BCC initiatives.