Communicating about Avian Influenza: A Guide for People Who Work in the Community

This 2-page document created by the Academy for Educational Development (AED) for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) gives some suggestions to public health workers for effective communication to families about how they can reduce the risk that Avian Influenza (bird flu) will take hold in their community.

The paper recommends certain behaviours during a visit, including building confidence and trust, telling people about control efforts, leaving leaflets, and asking for support. The document delineates what should always be the attitudes - listening carefully, as well as being reassuring, motivating, and honest - and what should never be the attitudes - anger, impatience, blame, arrogance, negativity, giving answers when one doesn't know the answer, and taking notes (which can cause anxiety in the interaction). It gives talking points to use with families regarding Avian Flu and five specific actions they can take regarding poultry, hygiene, cooking of chicken and eggs, and visits to poultry farms and markets.

Click here to download this document in PDF format in English.

Click here to download this document in PDF format in French.

Click here to download this document in PDF format in Portuguese.