Avian Influenza Awareness Campaign

This initiative centred around building the capacity of a small group of women to understand - and then communicate to others - the threat that avian influenza can pose to livelihoods and health. In order to build a cadre of community avian influenza awareness heath workers, 20 female health workers were selected from the communities in which HAWA was being implemented. A one-day workshop was conducted for the project participants that emphasised the following:

1. Providing basic information - e.g., history of avian influenza, the difference between seasonal influenza and avian flu, how each type of infection can be transmitted (and how transmission can be prevented), signs and symptoms of seasonal as opposed to avian influenza, and how to get in immediate contact with/obtain referral to health facilities (especially when confirmed cases of bird flu are reported in the area).
2. Urging behaviour change - the importance of people's collaboration with government quarantine strategy and culmination of birds in affected areas, the importance of maintaining good sanitation and hygiene (e.g., handwashing with soap and lukewarm water after handling birds or their wastes).
3. Stressing the importance of communication - e.g., why it is so crucial to increase people's awareness regarding spread of bird flu, what avian influenza message delivery strategies for households could be effective, how to communicate the 7 standard methods for prevention of avian influenza, and which method to use when distributing posters and brochures meant to educate people about avian flu.

Specifically, the health workers were divided into 4 groups of 5 women each, guided by a group supervisor. A video clip provided by IEC Department was demonstrated to all participants, and printed materials for later local distribution were distributed. Two community monitors assessed the message delivery process, monitored the quality of IEC material distribution, checked various forms, and compiled daily reports. One experienced staff of poultry project of CARE was also part of the team to assist in case of any problems.

Following this training, awareness health workers delivered the key messages to their own family members, and then went door-to-door in their localities. They used IEC materials such as posters and brochures, also engaging in discussion on the topic and encouraging families to observe preventive measures.

Health, Natural Resource Management, Women, Economic Development.

CARE International in Afghanistan has been operating in the country since 1961; as of late 2007, CARE was working in 12 provinces with close to 700 Afghan staff supported by 8 international staff. With a focus on poverty alleviation, CARE Afghanistan institutes rights-based approaches aimed at enhancing the self-reliance of beneficiaries in all of its programmes.

One participant in the training is quoted as saying, "I had heard a lot about Avian Flu and its harms but I was wondering how does it transmit to other poultries and humans, now I am very thankful to CARE for providing us this useful information. I can share this knowledge with others who haven't had access to such chance and I will bring changes in my attitude and behavior as a result of this campaign." According to CARE, 3,582 households (a total population of 26,034) were reached by the awareness campaign; since the goal had been to disseminate information to 16,344 people, there was a wider spread of messages than planned.