"This study critically evaluates the communication strategies used in the campaign for social mobilization for the National Programme on Immunization in Nigeria. Its objective is to determine the communication factors that contributed to the participation of individuals and groups in the programme a
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t the federal, state and local government levels. Fifty four (54,) subjects, consisting of 5 policy and decision makers in health, information and education sectors, 5 community leaders, 15 media personnel, 15 state health officials, 20 LGA officials, 12 representatives of non-governmental organizations, 5 opinion leaders, 7 clinic staff, 6 state health officials and 8 mothers were purposively selected from the federal level and two states; Imo and Kano states of Nigeria. Methodology used for data collection includes individual and group interviews and critical evaluation instruments. Findings show that the mass campaign strategy proved to be the most effective strategy for reaching both rural and urban dwellers and specific groups with immunization messages. The alliance between the health workers and community leaders, social groups, NGOs and the information education sectors, had a multiplier effect on the campaign and helped to create feelings of solidarity. The ubiquitous channels of traditional and religious leaders and youth groups helped to spread immunization messages and gain support for the programme. Women and women groups were adequately involved at the federal level and in Imo State, a Christian state in the South-East. This was not the case in Kano State, a muslim state in the north due to sociocuitural factors. The sustainability of the programme lies in more integration, more intersectoral collaboration, more institutionalization, more quality verification, more decentralization, greater local political commitment and a multistrategic approach to campaign planning and implementation." (Abstract)
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"This guide highlights the importance of trust and credibility for public health organisations in order to communicate effectively on immunisation. The document aims at supporting Member States in planning and implementing communication initiatives on vaccination, by presenting an overview of the ma
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in issues that public health institutions need to consider in relation to building and maintaining trust." (Executive summary)
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"This review examines polio communication efforts in India and Pakistan between the years 2000 and 2007. It shows how epidemiological, social and behavioural data guide communication strategies that have contributed to increased levels of polio immunity, particularly among underserved and hard-to-re
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ach populations. It illustrates how evidence-based and planned communication strategies – such as sustained media campaigns, intensive community and social mobilization, interpersonal communication and political and national advocacy combined – have contributed to reducing polio incidence in these countries. Findings show that communication strategies have contributed on several levels by: mobilizing social networks and leaders; creating political will; increasing knowledge; ensuring individual and community-level demand; overcoming gender barriers and resistance to vaccination; and reaching out to the poorest and marginalized populations. The review concludes wth observations about the added value of communication strategies in polio eradication efforts and implications for global and local public health communication interventions." (Abstract)
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"This book records the communication journey that began in 2002 through important innovations aimed at including segregated and marginalised populations, as well as a very successful mass media campaign featuring cine star Amitabh Bachchan. An important lesson learnt was that for any public health c
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ommunication to be successful, it had to be data driven. At the same time, it was essential for the initiative to generate data to demonstrate its effectiveness. Communication which was once regarded a 'soft science' has now evolved to the extent that it can generate data that is verifiable and drives the intervention further." (Back cover)
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"This report makes a case for revitalizing investments in communication for immunization. It considers communication in a broad sense, including advocacy, social and community mobilization, and information, education, and communication (IEC) activities. It identifies communication challenges that af
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fect the success of immunization services; offers evidence of the contributions of communication activities; identifies lessons learned, and suggests ways in which communication can continue to strengthen immunization programs. Without well-planned, adequately funded strategic communication, immunization programs fall short of meeting and sustaining coverage goals. Communication is particularly needed to achieve vaccination coverage in hard-toreach populations and to build trust in vaccines among those who question them. Stakeholders also need to advocate for immunization programs to persuade governments, donors, and other actors to support vaccine programs vis-á-vis other health programs and priorities." (Page 2)
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"To develop communication capacity specifically around adverse events following immunisation (AEFI), the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA) and the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO) organized a joint regional workshop "Strategic Communication: Building Trust and Responding to
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Adverse Events Following Immunisation in South Asia", in New Delhi from 9 to 10 August 2004. This working paper synthesises the presentations and debates from the workshop." (Foreword)
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"This report provides an overview of immunization communication and describes how to maximize its contribution to immunization programs in developing countries. The discussion and examples focus on communication’s place within immunization planning, activities, and partnerships, based on lessons l
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earned from behavior-centered analyses and programming. A detailed case study of Madagascar’s immunization communication activities is provided as an example of country implementation." (Abstract)
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"Successful advocates do their homework on an issue and build an interesting case. They organize networks and coalitions to create a groundswell of support that can influence key decision-makers. They work with the media to help communicate the message. This practical guide outlines four basic steps
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that are essential for an effective advocacy initiative — documenting the situation, packaging the message, working with the media and mobilizing others. It contains specific examples and ideas, and leaves it up to the user to pick and choose. Obviously, the advocacy strategy varies from target group to target group and from country to country. What works for politicians in Oslo does not necessarily work with health experts in Delhi. Users of this guide are encouraged to select the parts of this booklet that they find useful, borrow successful ideas from others, adapt these creatively to suit their own environment, be innovative, positive and active." (Page 5)
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"Through accounts and analysis of specific projects across four continents, the authors show how communication has been used to mobilize societies, to facilitate democratic participation, and to help people acquire new knowledge and skills. The book focuses on community radio and video, and health c
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ommunication, with major sections on projects in Mexico, Colombia and the Philippines. Colin Fraser was one of the founders of the FAO communication section. Sonia Restrepo-Estrada has worked for a long time as a communication specialist for UNICEF in matters of health, nutrition and women's and children's rights." (InteRadio 1/98; Media Development 2/99)
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"The focus throughout is on "listening" to people, in order to learn from experiences. Oral testimony is considered in terms of oral history and oral artistry. The importance of listening is illustrated by a large number of entertaining case studies, drawn from both developed and developing countrie
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s, from a broad range of disciplines. The methodology is discussed, detailing the way in which development workers should be trained to listen. The four case studies illustrate practical applications where listening to oral testimonies has proved beneficial for project orientation and management." (www.participatorymethods.org)
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"This book presents practical lessons from 15 years of experience on the part of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in promoting the health of infants and children in developing countries. It has been compiled by the Academy for Education Development which conducts the Communicati
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on for Child Survival or HEALTHCOM project for USAID. The book is a collection of 24 case studies and anecdotes produced by developing country and U.S. programme implementors in confronting the challenges of diarrhoeal dehydration, vaccine-preventable diseases, acute respiratory infection, malaria and inadequate nutrition. It illustrates different aspects of a systematic approach to influencing behaviour among the family, the community, and the health care provider. The examples demonstrate the importance of balancing demand creation activities with service delivery support, and the need for advocacy at the highest leadership levels. The field notes are divided into six categories: 1) research: the foundation of decisions; 2) strategies for behaviour change; 3) designing effective materials; 4) principles and tools for training; 5) new policies, new products, new markets; and 6) management for the long term." (https://www.ircwash.org/resources)
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"Many countries are now reporting data which indicate high access to immunization services (good BCG, DPT1, and 0PV1 rates) but lower complete coverage, due to dropouts. Dropouts reflect a problem in one or both of two areas: service barriers (such as missed opportunities to vaccinate); and consumer
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barriers (such as lack of correct information, fear of side effects, or competing belief systems). In other countries immunization program mangers are discovering that it is more difficult to achieve and maintain the final ten percent or 20 percent of coverage than it was to achieve the initial 60 percent or even 80 percent. In each of these cases communication has a role to play. Communication offers practical strategies for reducing both service and consumer barriers to complete coverage and for sustaining appropriate immunization behavior among these groups over the long term." (Abstract)
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