Assessment of risk communication strategy adopted by ministry of health and population in avian influenza

Abstract

Risk communication is a dynamic and interactive process involving exchanges between different groups of key players and audiences. It allows people at risk to understand and adopt protective behaviors and allows authorities to listen and address people's concerns in a relevant, trusted and acceptable manner. This is a qualitative study aiming to provide recommendations that might help national decision makers to enhance and promote the currently adopted risk communication measures, especially in communicable diseases. The study examined the already adopted risk communication measures in communicable diseases taking avian influenza epidemic (Influenza season 2014-2015) as an example, also the public perception regarding these measures was evaluated through 12 focus groups in 3 Egyptian Governorates. Results suggested that the adopted risk communication measures are proper. However, further strengthening of certain aspects is needed. The suggested recommendations were building trust and feedback channels with the community in alignment with better health care services, capacity building of officials dealing with risk information and communicating with the Public.