0.5: Role of Health Communication to address the above Health issues.

Health Communication provides an accurate and comprehensive information on each Health problem mentioned above as well as associated factors with those problems.
The individual / community should propose “interventions” to address those problems.
Based on findings from different studies conducted in the field, the associated factors with the Health issue being shown, Health Communication will help in the stage 1 of the behaviour change process.
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Briefly.
To explain associated factors and then prevention ways are raised by the participants.

For example:

High prevalence rate of HIV / AIDS:
Through Health Communication
Considering the magnitude of the problem , the persons at high risk, transmission modes,

- Prevention ways / activities ( Sexual abstinence- faithfulness-condom use -circumcision ) should be proposed by the individuals / community having benefited from the Health Communication session.
- Promotion of cultural positive values( Ubusugi – Ubumanzi).

 High morbidity rate of Malaria:
Through Health Communication
To explain usefulness
- Mosquito net use
- Close doors and windows in the evening
- Use of lattice on the doors and windows.
Poor Hygiene conditions and low coverage rate of drinking water at the household level :
The expected Health outcome : Diarrhea:
Through Health Communication, to explain the diarrhea issue
and of course associated factors:
- Drinking water ( piped water in the yard – public piped water – spring water – rainwater – boiled water )
- Handwashing with soap after toilet.
- Oral Rehydratation Therapy ( ORT ) in case of diarrhea.

 Childhood diarrhea ( see above ).
Relative low contraceptive prevalence rate :
Through Health Communication,
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To explain the factors associated with the low contraceptive prevalence rate.

High maternal mortality :
Through Health Communication,
To explain the factors associated with the home delivery rate.
 Non compliance with the 4 / 8 ANC visits recommended :
Through Health Communication,
To explain the associated factors with the non compliance with the 4 / 8 ANC visits recommended.

- First antenatal care visit for the 1 st trimester of pregnancy
- Interest of assisted delivery in Heath Facilities
- Interest of Post natal care visit (follow-up ).
High prevalence rate of Malnutrition:
Through Health Communication,
To explain the associated factors with Malnutrition in children and mothers as well.

NCDs :
Through Health Communication,
To explain associated factors and then prevention ways are raised by the participants.

In summary,the role of Health Communication is to support the beneficiary community / people in the process of addressing the Health issues within the community. It is a dynamic approach:
Indeed, for those different health problems mentioned above, health professionals indicate the magnitude of the problem and associate factors with this problem. Different approaches for addressing the Health issue should be provided by the beneficiary population themselves through the Health Communication session. This participative approach of the population in decision-making related to those health problems is very important to ensure sustainability of the implemented interventions . Commitment of the individual / the community in this participation is obtained through Health Communication session lead by Health professionals and local leaders involvement as well.