Child- to- child health as a model of community participation for combating Avian Influenza in selected slum and rural areas, Egypt

Background: Avian influenza (H5N1) is a new emerging public health threats in Egypt. WHO reported that among 382 cases of avian influenza distributed all over the world, Egypt has 50 cases (22 of them were died). Almost 70% of the infected cases are children and 30% are women.

Objectives: Building up skills of the selected children towards methods of health education and to prepare them for implementing the methodology of child- to- child health through their communities.Methodology: 650 children were selected from governmental schools and community development associations. Building capacity of theses children was planned and implemented through the integration between communities based associations, universities and the international non governmental organizations working in Egypt. Quality assurance on regular intervals was conducted to insure that the knowledge of the children were updating. Surveillance system for avian influenza cases was established in the selected areas.Results: significant improvement in the knowledge, attitude and practice of the studied group was reported after the intervention. No cases of Avian Influenza was recorded in the areas where the children were disseminated their health message to their communities. The quality assurance of this program picked up some obstacles during intervention phase and these obstacles were managed by new planning and follow up program. Quality improvement of child- to-child health program was determined by appropriate plan for health administration in the selected areas.Conclusion: The role of children in community participation might be used as a tool of prevention of Avian Influenza in rural and slum areas.Recommendations:child-to-child health program might be a promising preventive program for avian influenza.