Social Mobilization Campaign Against Polio 2006

June 2006

Objectives:

To increase awareness about the importance of vaccination against polio.

To ensure community involvement in enhancing routine vaccination.

To change negative norms through strategic communication (To change behavior among refusers).

To enhance intersectoral collaboration (Ministry of Endowment, MOE, MOI, MOY, etc).

Background:

Responding to the epidemiological situation, two supplementary rounds have been conducted targeting all children under 5 in 14 governorates.

The strategy of the campaign in focusing on quality, demanded a new approach in social mobilization.

Preparation of the campaign:

Meeting with HE coordinators from governorates.

Distribution of IEC materials developed in the NCHEI.

Coordination with MOI (TV, local radios, press) & provide them with materials.

Meeting with officials from MO Endowment, MOE, MOY, NGOs at the governorates level for social mobilization.

Preparation of the campaign:

Distribution of extra copies of the training film for health workers.

Press conference: With media representatives from radio, television & newspapers (government & opposition).

Preparing the launching at both central & peripheral levels.

Launching of the Campaign:

I. At the national level:By H.E. Minister of Health & Population.

II. At the governorate level:Governors & local councils.

All launching activities were covered by different media channels.

Interpersonal Communication

Raising awareness through mosques:

AlJoma’ Prayer. After daily prayers Through pamphlets &

posters.

Raising Awareness In Schools

Coordination with MOE in all governorates.

Invitation for vaccination (from students to parents).

The Schools’ Radio. Lectures by teachers. The Wall Magazine.

Cars’ Megaphones & Amplifiers

4w drive cars for each district for announcements about the campaign.

Daily visit to remote areas & markets.

5 days work. Coordination with

teams to proceed them.

Information Materials

Banners. Posters. Stickers. Invitation. Cars tapes.

766

Banners

6 in 2006

Brochures

40,000

Posters

500,000

Invitation

- Importance of vaccination & the frequent rounds.

- Age group.- Strategy of the campaign

(house to house).- Date of the round.- Safety of the vaccine.- Collaboration with teams.- Importance of routine

immunization.

750 Tapes- Announcements- Songs- Short Drama- Yemeni Nasheed

(traditional songs)

The tapes are provided to help HE coordinator in the districts.

Cars Tapes

Mass Media Communication

TV:- Design & pretest.- Live interviews.- Field programs.- Interviews with community leaders.- Round table discussions.- TV Spots: 15 times daily broadcast.- News reports on the campaign.- News reports on the launching activities.- Monitoring & Evaluation.

Mass Media Communication

Radio:- Design & pretest.- Raising awareness through 10 local radio stations.- Reproduction of spots & flashes using local accents.- Interviews.- Reports.- Discussions- Monitoring & Evaluation.

Press:- Articles & reports.- Announcements.- Interviews.- Caricatures.- Monitoring & Evaluation.

Positive points during the campaign:

Using different methods & channels. Non verbal impact of TV messages. Local accents are used. Involvement of different sectors (MOI, MOE,

MOY, etc). Schools’ activities (Schedules, lectures, etc). Local Radio stations. Cars using megaphones. Successful intersectoral coordination. The role of Imams. Awareness in markets & remote areas.

Weaknesses during the campaign:

Week distribution of materials in some areas.

No enough cars. Language of some

messages. Rumors. Fatawa by some

religious leaders in some districts.

Challenges:

Assuring sustainability of vaccination.

Convincing public of the importance of continuing vaccination.

Availability of services/facilities. Role of local councils. Interpersonal communication.

Future Steps Continuous awareness on routine

immunization Addressing of the main problems to better

analyze them Identifying and Profiling Audiences Developing Communication Strategy Developing Evaluation Plan Feed back from different stakeholders

Thank you