EFFECTIVENESS OF HEALTH RISK COMMUNICATION DURING PANDEMIC: AN EXPLORATIVE STUDY

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 176-187
Author(s):  
Ramandeep Kaur ◽  
Amit Jain ◽  
Jayati Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Family Welfare ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Explorative Study ◽  
Content Development ◽  
The Government

This article attempts to analyze the strategy adopted by the government of India to combat the COVID 19 pandemic, motivating people to take vaccines and addressing the issue of vaccine hesitancy. The study is based on the close review of various digital media platforms utilized by the government of India majorly the website and Facebook page of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and awareness videos on YouTube. The results include a list of crucial gaps that have not been paid attention to or were ignored during the information-based content development and dissemination via the official digital platforms. Also, a major gap was recorded in the set of information available in English, Hindi, and Vernacular languages. Vaccine hesitancy was one of the major issues during the pandemic. The study suggests that the issue of vaccine hesitancy was also under-addressed.

Vaccine hesitancy and trust. Ethical aspects of risk communication

2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Nihlén Fahlquist
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Vaccination Policy ◽  
Ethical Aspects ◽  
Ethical Perspective ◽  
H1n1 Vaccine ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Government

Aim: This paper analyses vaccination policy from an ethical perspective, against the background of the growing hesitancy towards e.g. the measles vaccine. Methods: The paper is normative and analyses ethical aspects of risk communication in the context of vaccination. It is argued that ethical analysis of risk communication should be done at the level of the message, the procedure and the effects. The paper takes examples from the Swedish context, linking the current lack of trust in experts to the 2009 vaccination policy and communication promoting the H1N1 vaccine Pandemrix. Results: During the Swedish H1N1 vaccination policy in 2009, the message was that the vaccine is safe. However, a group of adolescents developed narcolepsy as a side effect of the vaccine. Taking this into account, it becomes clear that the government should communicate risks and benefits responsibly and take responsibility for individuals affected negatively by populational health interventions. Conclusion: To communicate respectfully entails not treating vaccine sceptics as ill-informed or less educated, but instead taking the concerns of the vaccine hesitant, who potentially could change their minds, as a starting-point of a respectful discussion. There will inevitably be individuals who suffer from side effects of justifiable population-based health promotion activities. However, the public should be able to trust the message and count on the government to take responsibility for individuals affected by side effects. This is important for normative reasons, but is additionally likely to contribute to restored and maintained trust.

scholarly journals Steps towards Elimination of Obstetric Fistula in Bangladesh: Reflection from 2nd National Strategy for Obstetric Fistula 2017-2022

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Animesh Biswas ◽  
Nabila Hossain Purno ◽  
Sathyanarayanan Doraiswamy
Keyword(s):  
Task Force ◽  
Obstetric Fistula ◽  
Family Welfare ◽  
National Strategy ◽  
Major Step ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
The Government ◽  
Social Safety Nets ◽  
Evidence Generation

Aims: To see impact of second National Strategy for Obstetric Fistula 2017-2022 in Bangladesh Methods: Under the supervision of The National Task Force on Obstetric Fistula of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, UNFPA supported the government in the development of the 2nd national strategy. A technical group developed the strategy and submitted to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for final approval. The second national obstetric fistula strategy 2017 – 2022 is a major step towards a fistula-free Bangladesh within a generation and reduces the burden of disease. Results: The strategy sets the vision for all girls born henceforth in Bangladesh will enjoy a life free from the risk of Obstetric Fistula and all cases of fistula will receive the highest quality of care enabling a high quality of life. Six directions set include prevention, improvement of services, quality treatment, psychosocial reintegration and rehabilitation, evidence generation and increase awareness. The set target aims to reach zero incidences of obstetric fistula by2022, reduce prevalence of repairable fistula cases by 90% and provide social safety nets and rehabilitation to 50% of all (repairable and incurable) cases of fistula between 2017 and 2022. Conclusions: Multi sectoral efforts needed under an effective coordination to operationalize the second strategy in Bangladesh.

scholarly journals Responsibility for Media Content and the Problem of Censoring the Communication Space of Russia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-101
Author(s):  
T.  L. Kaminskaya
Keyword(s):  
Digital Media ◽  
The Political ◽  
Media Content ◽  
Media Content Analysis ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Adaptive Capabilities ◽  
Communication Space ◽  
The Media ◽  
Court Proceedings ◽  
The Government

The article examines the Russian media discourse around the authorities’ significant legislative initiatives of the last two years concerning the media. In the context of law enforcement practice, the author of the article draws attention to the problems of censoring the new communication space created by social networks, instant messengers and algorithmic digital media platforms. These problems often include the lack of a clear delineation of concepts, for example, such as “insulting the authorities” and “fair criticism”, the level of forensic expertise and the “human factor” of Roskomnadzor. The article expresses the idea that the increasing number of laws related to media content is associated with the speed of digital communication transformations, which exceeds the authorities’ adaptive capabilities. In parallel with tightening legislation in the direction of control over online media platforms, the author also notes that the government appeals to digital platforms users as allies in the fight for content purity. Summing up the data of discourse analysis, media content analysis, as well as my own experience of participating in court proceedings as an expert linguist, the author concluded that the political effects of the adoption of laws on the media might not be related to the political objectives of the authorities, since they contrast with the values of a particular part of society.

scholarly journals KOMUNIKASI SELAMA PANDEMI COVID-19: BELAJAR DARI KEGAGALAN KOMUNIKASI RISIKO KESEHATAN YANG EFEKTIF

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-122
Author(s):  
Aizun Najih
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Strategic Communication ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Sensitive Information ◽  
The Public ◽  
Government Communication ◽  
The World ◽  
The Government

Abstract. Governments around the world can learn many important lessons from examining instances of ineffective communication with the public during the global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) panic. Ineffective government communication has resulted in much confusion and misunderstanding of the public, as well as severe errors in responding to growing health threats, causing catastrophic health and social repercussions for society and prolonging the pandemic. This article uses systems theory as a framework for analyzing government communication during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing recommendations for the government to establish an effective health risk communication strategy. The communication strategy encourages the delivery of relevant, accurate and sensitive information to key public groups, minimizing communication disruptions to guide desired coordinated action. The communication strategy can be applied locally, nationally and internationally.Keywords: health risk communication, government communication, pandemic, strategic communication, systems theory.Abstrak. Pemerintah di seluruh dunia dapat mempelajari banyak pelajaran penting dari memeriksa contoh komunikasi yang tidak efektif dengan publik selama kepanikan penyakit virus corona global (COVID-19). Komunikasi pemerintah yang tidak efektif telah mengakibatkan banyak kebingungan dan kesalahpahaman publik, serta kesalahan serius dalam menanggapi ancaman kesehatan yang terus berkembang, dan menyebabkan bencana kesehatan dan dampak sosial bagi masyarakat dan memperpanjang pandemi. Artikel ini menggunakan teori sistem sebagai kerangka untuk menganalisis komunikasi pemerintah selama pandemi COVID-19, memberikan rekomendasi kepada pemerintah untuk menetapkan strategi komunikasi risiko kesehatan yang efektif. Strategi komunikasi mendorong penyampaian informasi yang relevan, akurat, dan sensitif kepada kelompok-kelompok publik utama, meminimalkan gangguan komunikasi untuk memandu tindakan terkoordinasi yang diinginkan. Strategi komunikasi dapat diterapkan secara lokal, nasional, dan internasional.Kata kunci: komunikasi risiko kesehatan, komunikasi pemerintah, pandemi, komunikasi strategis, teori sistem.

scholarly journals Covid-19 Pandemic and Its Influence on Social Health Risk Behaviour Change Among Motorcycle Riders in the Transport Industry in Kimili Subcounty, Bungoma County, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kato Masika Erastus
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Public Transport ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Social Health ◽  
Health Risk Behaviour ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
The World ◽  
Transport Industry ◽  
The Government

Most urban centres and cities globally are vulnerable to the fast spread of Covid-19 due to their high population and many interactive activities including movement of people. The transport industry has been targeted in many parts of the world in the effort to curb the spread of pandemic as it is believed to be the main conduit of the spread of the pandemic. However, the lockdown of major cities all over the world has led to the development of under ways to facilitate illegal movement of people in and out of the lockdown epicentre cities. In Kenya for instance Nairobi and Mombasa which are believed to be the main epicentres of the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic were put under lockdown by the government of Kenya for three months. Consequently, the government through the ministry of health banned motorists especially public transport vehicles from entering and leaving the epicentre cities. During the lockdown motorcycle became the major mode of public transport illegally sneaking people in and out of these cities thus endangering lives of many Kenyans as they aided in the spread of the pandemic. The lifting of the lockdown of Mombasa and Nairobi has seen tremendous rise in infections and even deaths doubling the previous statistics. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate Covid-19 pandemic and its influence on the social risk behaviour change among motorcycle riders in the transport industry in Kimilili Sub county Bungoma County Kenya. The study population were all the motorcycle riders within Kimilili town. The sample size comprised of 60 motor bike riders selected through simple random sampling from 12 motorcycle stage points in Kimilili town. The study adopted quantitative research design where descriptive survey was employed. Simple structured questionnaire was developed and administered to the respondents. Data was collected and analyzed through descriptive statistics and presented in tables of frequencies and percentages. The results revealed that motorbike riders had failed to comply with the ministry of health guidelines in the transport industry to help fight the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. The extent to which the respondents complied with the government regulations was generally low. Therefore, the noncompliance behaviour of bike motorists to the government directives was a serious social health risk behaviour that the ministry of health should address to minimise the spread of Covid-19 through motorbike transport system in Kenya.

scholarly journals COVID-19 in Bangladesh: Measures for containment

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Shah Md Mahfuzur Rahman ◽  
Shah Monir Hossain ◽  
Mahmood Uz Jahan
Keyword(s):  
Risk Communication ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Family Welfare ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
And Control

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered novel coronavirus, renamed as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). 1 It was unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. 2 The outbreak was linked epidemiologically to the Hua Nan seafood and wet animal wholesale market in Wuhan, and the market was subsequently closed on 1 January 2020. 3 The virus rapidly spread to all provinces in China, as well as a number of countries overseas, and was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the Director General of the World Health Organization on 30 January 2020.4 Subsequently, on 11 March 2020, the WHO declared COVID-18 a pandemic.5 It   is the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus. 6 Around the globe, hundreds of thousands have been infected and tens of thousands people died including frontline workforce including physicians, nurses and others. Bangladesh reported its first confirmed COVID-19 case on 8 March 2020, after three people, two men and a woman tested positive for the coronavirus. Two of the infected are recently returned from Italy, and the other one is a female family member of the infected male. On the 18 March, 2020, Bangladesh confirmed the first death from COVID-19. 7 In Bangladesh, till 30 March 2020, 49 confirmed cases and there were five deaths due to COVID-19.8 This pandemic-a global calamity, is not only a health concern, it is a threat to life and livelihoods worldwide. In addition to health, major disruptions are also occurred in business, education, transports and others areas.  It causes interruption in every aspect of day to day life. To prevent and control infections, the immediate challenges ahead are to conduct the tests, isolation of infected cases, tracing of the contacts and quarantine, and appropriate measures for the overseas returnees. An effective risk communication with community engagement is critical to reduce the stigma, fake news, psychological stress. It is essential to bring courage and mental strength of the frontline fighters, and support for the poor and daily wage earners etc. Aimed at preventing and control of SARS-COV-2, government of Bangladesh has already initiated steps including enhancement of public awareness on hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, social distancing, wearing of masks, avoidance of public gatherings, campaign against myths, fake news and stigma; preparing the health care services including expansion of hospital facilities, training and protective measures for the health workforce and other frontline fighters. Furthermore, steps are being taken conducting RT PCR tests, isolating infected cases, tracing contacts, quarantine the contacts and overseas returnees, and other necessary measures. The government has declared the general holiday in Bangladesh including closure of the educational institutes and office and workplaces, to prevent and control of infections. Necessary steps have been initiated for the social and economic protections of the vulnerable including expansion of the existing social safety net programmes. Aimed at adequate and timely response to the COVID-19, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, developed a number of guidelines and manuals for   the containment of this pandemic disease. For an effective and timely preparedness and response, the DGHS has developed ‘National Preparedness and Response Plan for COVID-19, Bangladesh’.9 For better response, well-coordinated and cooperated global efforts, including exchange of information, scientific knowledge, research findings, expertise and best practices are important. All countries should implement WHO guidelines and recommendations.  In Bangladesh, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare alone cannot mitigate this pandemic. Strengthening of the coordinated efforts among the ministries, and effective and timely engagement of the non-government and private sectors are strongly recommended. Intensification of RT-PCR lab tests for case detection, and isolation and management of cases, and to trace the contacts and ensure quarantine, surveillance, and research, serological tests   to detect SARS-CoV-2 specific immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) to estimate the population exposure, strengthening public awareness and  risk communication, strict implementation of personal hygiene, use of face mask, social distancing  and other measures are thus suggested to prevent and control COVID-19 in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2020; 46(1): 01-02

Internet-based Online Higher Education in Nepal Amidst COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashis Acharya ◽  
Nabaraj Poudyal ◽  
Ganesh Lamichhane ◽  
Babita Aryal ◽  
Bibek Raj Bhattarai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Human Life ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Classes ◽  
Traditional Concept ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Online Higher Education ◽  
Alternative Means ◽  
The Government

The COVID-19 global pandemic has affected all aspects of human life, with education, not an exception. In an attempt to stop the SARS-CoV-2 spreading like wildfire, the Government of Nepal has implemented nationwide lockdowns since March 24, 2020, that have enforced schools and universities to shut down. As a consequence, more than four hundred thousand students of various levels in higher education institutions (HEIs) are in a dilemma about restoring the situation. Several HEIs, nationwide, have leaped forward from the traditional concept of learning—limited within the boundary of the classroom—to choosing digital platforms as an alternative means of teaching because of the pandemic. For this research, the descriptive and inferential analysis was carried out to investigate the effects and challenges of learning via digital platforms during this pandemic. Data were collected from students and faculty at various levels of higher education and analyzed statistically with different factors using t-test and ANOVA, and variables were found to be approximately normally distributed. The study revealed that 70% of the respondents had access to the Internet, but 36% of the Internet accessed did not continue online classes due to unexpected disturbance in Internet and electrical connectivity. Likewise, 65% of students did not feel comfortable with online classes, and among attendees of online classes, 78% of students want to meet the instructor for a better understanding of course matters. According to the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model, three factors, such as institutional policy, internet access, and poverty, are found to be significant factors affecting the online higher education systems in Nepal. On the brighter side, this outbreak has brought ample opportunities to reform the conventional teaching-learning paradigm in Nepal.

Funding models and expenditures with primary healthcare in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil metropolitan area

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Vivas ◽  
M Duarte ◽  
A Pitta ◽  
B Christovam
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Metropolitan Area ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
Healthcare Budget ◽  
Health Budget ◽  
The Public ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Government

Abstract Background The government investments in quality primary healthcare are the basis to strengthening the health systems and monitoring the public expenditure in this area is a way to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the public health policies. The Brazil Ministry of Health changed, in 2017, the method of onlending federal resources to states and cities seeking to make the public funds management more flexible. This change, however, suppressed mandatory investments in primary healthcare. This research aims to determine the difference of expenditures on primary healthcare in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil metropolitan area before and after this funding reform, seeking to verify how it can impact the quality of primary healthcare services and programs. Methods This is an ecological time-series study that used data obtained in the Brazil Ministry of Health budget reports. The median and interquartile range of expenditures on primary healthcare (set as the percentage of total public health budget applied in primary care services and programs) of the 13 cities in the Salvador metropolitan area were compared two years before and after the reform. Results The median of expenditures on primary healthcare in Salvador metropolitan area was 25.5% (13,9% - 32,2%) of total public health budget before and 24.8% (20.8% - 30.0%) of total public health budget after the reform (-0.7% difference). Seven cities decreased the expenditures on primary healthcare after the reform, ranging from 1.2% to 10.8% reduction in the primary healthcare budget in five years. Conclusions Expenditures on primary healthcare in Salvador metropolitan area decreased after the 2017 funding reform. Seven of 13 cities reduced the government investments on primary healthcare services and programs in this scenario. Although the overall difference was -0.7%, the budget cuts ranged from 1.2% to 10.8% in the analyzed period and sample. More studies should assess these events in wide areas and with long time ranges. Key messages Public health funding models can impact the primary healthcare settings regardless of the health policy. Reforms in the funding models should consider the possible benefits before implementation. Funding models and methods that require mandatory investments in primary healthcare may be considered over more flexible ones.

scholarly journals Government Communication Strategies during Coronavirus Pandemic: United Arab Emirates Lessons

2021 ◽  
pp. 097206342098309
Author(s):  
Ahmed Farouk Radwan ◽  
Sheren Ali Mousa
Keyword(s):  
Health Communication ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
The State ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Individual Responsibility ◽  
Communication Model ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Government Communication

Government communication introduced important lessons during the worldwide experience with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to apply known efficacious principles of risk and health communication strategies. The purpose of the study is to depict and explore the United Arab Emirates government communication scenario in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic as well as look at the types of strategies, information and messages delivered via digital mediums to handle challenges that are raised based on the Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication model. The study includes a qualitative analysis of two government bodies’ digital platforms: ‘The Ministry of Health and Prevention’ (mohap) and ‘Crisis and Disasters Management Authority’. Results indicated that the UAE government used different communication aims and strategies to face the pandemic according to the risk management scenario. In the quarantine phase, communication focused on giving people information about the disease, raising awareness about the disease, motivating health and behaviour change, informing people about government decisions and procedures. In the coexistence phase communication focused on emphasising the necessity of adherence the health measures, providing information on re-work in institutions and commercial centres, involving people in the health and social initiatives, confronting non-compliance with health precautions. Government communication also focused on facing rumours and false information. UAE government communication used digital platforms and social media to address more than 200 nationalities living in the state for ensuring that they adhere to the precautionary measures and coordinate with the authorities. Government communication was committed to a set of values including equality between citizens of the state and residents, societal and individual responsibility, recognising the frontline medical staff and acknowledging their sacrifices. UAE implemented an integrated, coherent and effective scenario to deal with the crisis. It developed risk communication strategies in health communication to manage the COVID-19 crisis by following international standards and also took into account its own political, economic, social and cultural features. The UAE government used many strategies to inform and convince people including clarification of measures strategy, reassurance strategy, ambiguity reduction strategy, behaviour efficacy strategy, correcting misinformation and rumours, advising strategy.

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