Communication Channel Influences on Health Volunteers’ Knowledge and Participation on Bird Flu Prevention and Control in Mae Wang District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

Abstract

        Addressing the problems of bird flu needs empowerment of every sector. This study was aimed at identifying appropriate communication channels for increasing the health volunteers’ knowledge and their participation on bird flu prevention and control. A survey research design was used in Mae Wang district, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand between June and November 2007. Multistage sampling was used in various sub-districts and villages. In all, 254 respondents were interviewed.

       Results indicated that the knowledge of the respondents about bird flu problems was high (x=6.91, SD 1.58, range=0-9), and also the participation was high (x=20.71, SD 7.25, range=0-30). Most of bird flu information was from health personnel and television (78.3% and 66.5% respectively). Bird flu information from television was significantly related to knowledge about bird flu problems (p<0.001); while the information from health personnel, health volunteer association and community loudspeakers were significantly related to participation (p<0.001, p=0.005 and p=0.010 respectively). Knowledge and participation about bird flu problems were not statistically related. Findings lead to recommend empowerment of health volunteers and communities to participate in bird flu implementation via the appropriate communication channels identified by this study.

Key words: bird flu, communication channel, health volunteer, knowledge, participation, prevention and control