285374
Mapping and testing nonpharmaceutical intervention (NPI) messages
To evaluate the clarity of the NPI message maps and the feasibility of the recommended actions, we later conducted 18 web-based, camera-assisted focus groups, with 99 participants recruited from across the United States. Participants included business administrators, members of the general public, and parents with children attending child care and K-12 schools. Key findings from the focus groups include the need for more action-oriented messages, concern about the practicality of school closures during a pandemic, confusion between seasonal and pandemic influenza, and the need for information about the use of face masks. We incorporated these findings in the development of an NPI website and educational materials (e.g., checklists, fact sheets, and posters) for the general public and community leaders.
Learning Areas:
Communication and informaticsConduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Learning Objectives:
Describe two methods used to develop and test nonpharmaceutical intervention (NPI) messages for the general public
Define the purpose of message mapping and testing
List at least three community mitigation terms the general public did not understand
Describe at least three key findings from message testing
Explain two ways the message testing results have been used
Keyword(s): Infectious Diseases, Health Education
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I lead formative health communication evaluations to help mitigate the impact of pandemic influenza. I serve as a health communicator, contracted with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for the Community Interventions for Infection Control Unit (CI-ICU). No conflict of interest.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.