| Abstract: |
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of morbidity
and mortality in Nigeria, and behavioural change communication
(BCC) has become a central strategy for addressing the modifiable
lifestyle risk factors that underlie this burden. Yet the theoretical
basis of BCC interventions for cardiovascular health is often
applied without systematic comparative scrutiny of the
assumptions, strengths, and limitations of the frameworks in use.
This paper undertakes a library-based (desk) review synthesising
secondary literature — peer-reviewed journal articles, systematic
reviews, institutional reports, and foundational texts — on three
theories commonly applied in this domain: the Theory of Planned
Behaviour (TPB), the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), and the
Ecological Model of Health Behaviour (EMHB). Using thematic
documentary analysis rather than primary data collection, the
review traces the origins, core constructs, empirical applications,
and critiques of each theory, with particular attention to their use in
Nigerian and broader African health communication research. The
review finds that TPB best explains the cognitive mechanics linking
message exposure to behavioural intention, TTM best explains the
heterogeneous pace and readiness of change across a population,
and EMHB best explains the structural and environmental barriers
that persist despite individual-level attitude and intention change. A
comparative analytical matrix and an integrated conceptual model
are presented to guide the design of theoretically coherent, multilevel BCC interventions for cardiovascular health promotion
among vulnerable Nigerian populations such as informal-sector
traders. The review concludes that no single theory is sufficient in
isolation and recommends deliberate theoretical triangulation in
future BCC programme design and evaluation. |
