Systematic literature review to examine the evidence for the effectiveness of interventions that use theories and models of behaviour change : towards the prevention and control of communicable diseases : insights into health communication

Behavioural or social theories and models are considered an important tool in effective behaviour change interventions and programmes. They can identify the changes that take place, explain and support change dynamics, identify key influences on outcomes and select those participants most likely to benefit. Their use in health intervention planning and management also improves the prospects for replication, modification and the scaling up of effective interventions and the learning that can be derived from practice whether the intervention is successful or unsuccessful. There is a substantial body of published work evaluating interventions using behaviour change theories and models to prevent or control communicable diseases relevant to Europe. This systematic review of the evidence aimed to collate the targets of interventions - diseases and disease groups, populations, types of behaviour for change - and map the behaviour change theories and models used. A further objective was to look at what techniques and activities were used by interventions, via which health communication channels and in which settings. The review also sought to examine the effectiveness of the interventions and report on any evidence of effectiveness for relevant interventions and programmes based on theories and models of behaviour change. The analysis and findings are intended to provide a current status report on the evidence and shortcomings in relation to good practice, policy, learning and strategies.