Saint Lucia’s ChikungunyaCommunication Campaign: Diversified Approaches for Reducing Risk Behaviors

CARPHA Chikungunya Consultation

March 3-5, 2015

SAINT LUCIA

APRIL 1, 2014

Index Case

CONTEXT PRIOR TO OUTBREAK

Outbreaks in French territories comence 2013

French Connection: entrenched socio-cultural corridors with French Caribbean territories

Mosquito indices surpass acceptable thresholds

High indices communities with poor health determinants

National drought declared

Upcoming rainy season

CORE COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES

General Objective: To promote behaviours which will

reduce exposure to infection

Strategy: Integrated vector management, multi-

pronged communication channels, intensified social

mobilization, bi-lingual

Theoretical Context: Health Belief Model, Diffusion of

Innovations

CORE COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES

- National Call to Action

- Mobilization & sensitization of partners

- Multi-prong channels: PSAs, social media, talk shows,

routine press updates, seminars, community

meetings

- Targeted community source reduction

- Strengthened internal communication: coordination

& interventions

NATIONL CALL TO ACTION

Minister of Health’s Official Call to the Nation

NATIONAL CALL TO ACTIONStakeholder Consultations

National Stakeholders’ Meeting

NATIONAL CALL TO ACTIONStakeholder Consultations

Meeting with National Town and Village Councils

NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION

Meeting with Tourism Sector

SOCIAL MOBILIZATIONWORLD HEALTH DAY TO VECTOR AWARENESS WEEK

Traditional sites: schools, work places, churches, wellness centres

Non-traditional sites: bus stops, gas stations, supermarketsstrategic thoroughfares

Social media: FacebookYou Tube

Community interventions: source reduction drives

COMMUNITY INTERVENTIONS

Source Reduction

- Community meetings

- Training of leaders

- Removal of breeding sites

- Treatment of water

- Demonstrations

INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO

COMMUNICATION PRODUCTS

Testimonial from Young Pregnant Woman

COMMUNICATION PRODUCTS

COMMUNICATION PRODUCTS

COMMUNICATION PRODUCTSChikungunya: You Can Make a Difference

Chikungunya is a virus spread by a mosquito called Aedes aepypti. This is a mosquito with white stripes on its legs which is often found where people live. The mosquito spreads Chikungunya when it has the virus within its body and then bites humans. A person usually experiences the signs and symptoms of this disease three to seven days after being bitten. The common signs and symptoms include a high fever, severe pain and swelling of the joints. There can also be a headache, muscle pain and a rash. Persons experiencing these symptoms are encouraged to seek medical attention and take treatment as is recommended by the doctor or nurse.

There is no vaccine to protect us from becoming infected with Chikungunya. To control and limit our getting the virus, persons must store all water in tightly covered containers. This prevents the mosquito from breeding. Also, empty water from flower vases and pot plates every two days and clean wash with a cloth to remove any mosquito eggs which may have been laid. Clear all guttering of leaves as that will allow for water to flow freely.

Your health is within your control. Practice personal responsibility in managing your environment.

For further information contact the Bureau of Health Education at 4685349

Mass Media Partnership

Press conferences and briefings

Interviews

News Items

Talk shows

PSAs

Media Briefings & UpdatesChief Medical Officer

Senior Medical Officer

National Epidemiologist

VECTOR AWARENESS WEEK

Vector Awareness WeekLAUNCH

Vector Awareness WeekCLOSING

SUCCESSES

• Communication through a bi-lingual approach

• Multi-pronged communication

• Community leaders as conduits for

communication

• Develop skills of residents for vector

management

• Strengthened alliances

CHALLENGES

• Competing priorities

• Budget constraints

• Burn out and fatigue

• Limited time for pre-testing

• Addressing social determinants

• Sustained and maintaining health promoting

behaviour

Partnerships

• Health Sector (public & private)

• Non-Health line ministries: Education, Tourism

Community Development, Agriculture

• Municipal authorities

• Media

• Community based organizations

• Non-governmental organizations

THANK YOU