229541 Effective Behavior Change Communications to Prevent Malaria Morbidity and Mortality in Global Workforces

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Leba Shallenberger, DrPH, MPA , Medicine and Occupational Health Department, Public Health Section, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Houston, TX
Malick Diara, MD, MBA, MPH , Medicine and Occupational Health, ExxonMobil, Houston, TX
To prevent serious malaria morbidity and deaths in business travelers and workers in malaria-endemic regions, we used behavior change communication tools to promote the A-B-C-D's of malaria prevention: Awareness, Bite Prevention, Chemoprophylaxis, Detection and early treatment. High levels of compliance with malaria chemoprophylaxis confirmed with random testing and extremely low numbers of malaria cases confirmed the effectiveness of our communication methods. Employees must complete an interactive computer-based training program utilizing provocative videos to acquire overall Awareness and to learn the skills needed for effective vector control and Bite prevention. Before traveling, employees visit travel health clinics to receive bite-prevention supplies and chemoprophylaxis (for non-immunes) along with colorful literature to remind them of the A-B-C-D's. In-country arrival processes include the use of a questionnaire for travelers to demonstrate their knowledge of malaria prevention, and random checks verify their readiness with respect to bite prevention. Different educational messages target individuals considered non-immune or semi-immune to malaria to address attitudes and social norms regarding Chemoprophylaxis use. Posters, DVDs, and presentations promote malaria prevention in safety meetings and safety reminders communicated at the beginning of work shifts continually reinforce malaria prevention efforts. Pre-departure audio and video tapes are used while transporting travelers back to the airports to encourage their continued use of prescribed medications and to remind them to use their malaria survival kits for Diagnosis and treatment should symptoms arise. Annual World Malaria Day activities that engage community participants also emphasize the importance of malaria control programs.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
1.Describe the different educational tools and channels used to change worker behaviors for malaria prevention. 2.List the four components of malaria control programs that behavior change communications must address.

Keywords: Health Education, Infectious Diseases

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a health educator and helped to create and implement all of the educational tools and strategies described in the paper.
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.