Isiaka Saheed, Asaolu Stephen, Gab-Deedam Shiva, Jimoh Akolade, Samuel Olugbemisola, Sampson Sidney, Odey Grace, Atobatele Sunday, Okoye Irene
Sydani Institute for Research and Innovation, Abuja, Nigeria.
Sydani Initiative for International Development, Abuja, Nigeria.
Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2024 Nov 19;112(2):364-372. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.24-0282. Print 2025 Feb 5.
The primary goal of program communication in public health is to influence behaviors. It also aims to raise awareness and ultimately improve health outcomes. Under the umbrella of program communication exist three interconnected, interrelated, and mutually supportive communication aspects: advocacy, communication, and social mobilization (ACSM). While advocacy involves promoting political dedication and holding authorities accountable for fulfilling commitments and achieving success, social mobilization brings together various sectors and individuals to raise awareness and demand for a specific program. This study aimed to understand the operationalization and challenges of ACSM activities among health workers addressing COVID-19 and routine immunization in Nigeria. The study used a qualitative study design. In-depth interviews were conducted among health workers in the ACSM unit of the state's primary health care system, using a two-tier approach. The recorded interviews were transcribed in Microsoft Word format by professional transcribers and coded using Dedoose. A total of 38 health care workers across six states were selected to participate in this study. Our study found that ACSM coordination structures existed across the six states. Routine ACSM activities were either funded by the government or local development partners implementing programs. Lack of technological devices, unavailability of funds, unavailability of data tools, and lack of technological skills are major barriers to ACSM operationalization. This study highlighted the critical role of government and agency funding in sustaining ACSM activities. However, barriers that hinder the effective operationalization of ACSM efforts remain. Therefore, the results support the need for strategic investment in technology, staff capacity building, and appropriate resource allocation to overcome these barriers.
公共卫生领域项目沟通的主要目标是影响行为。它还旨在提高认识并最终改善健康结果。在项目沟通的框架下，存在三个相互关联、相互联系且相互支持的沟通方面：宣传、沟通和社会动员（ACSM）。宣传涉及促进政治奉献精神，并促使当局对履行承诺和取得成功负责，而社会动员则将各个部门和个人聚集在一起，以提高对特定项目的认识并引发需求。本研究旨在了解尼日利亚卫生工作者在应对新冠疫情和常规免疫接种方面开展的ACSM活动的实施情况及挑战。该研究采用了定性研究设计。采用两层方法，对该州初级卫生保健系统ACSM部门的卫生工作者进行了深入访谈。专业转录人员将录制的访谈内容转录为Microsoft Word格式，并使用Dedoose进行编码。共选取了六个州的38名卫生保健工作者参与本研究。我们的研究发现，六个州均存在ACSM协调结构。常规的ACSM活动要么由政府资助，要么由实施项目的当地发展伙伴资助。缺乏技术设备、资金不足、数据工具不可用以及技术技能欠缺是ACSM实施的主要障碍。本研究强调了政府和机构资金在维持ACSM活动方面的关键作用。然而，阻碍ACSM有效实施的障碍依然存在。因此，研究结果支持在技术、人员能力建设和适当资源分配方面进行战略投资以克服这些障碍的必要性。
