Romanian Family Health Initiative (RFHI)'s Avian Influenza Project

This initiative draws upon the sharing of information about avian influenza - which represented a relatively new public health challenge in Romania at the time of the project launch - largely through interpersonal interactions and printed materials.

To meet the goal of strengthening the capacity of professionals from the health and veterinary sectors, RFHI hosted interactive seminars and workshops for professionals from key medical disciplines. The purpose of these sessions was to increase knowledge around avian flu, help practitioners understand their roles and responsibilities in the national influenza surveillance system, and prepare them to manage risk in the event of a potential pandemic. To create effective partnerships at the local level, epidemiologists and specialists in veterinary medicine were trained together. Trained personnel received personal protective equipment (PPE); 2,250 RFHI brochures detailed how to use the PPEs (click here to download the brochure in PDF format [in Romanian].) In addition, a series of interactive briefings with national and local media was held. (Click here to download the "Avian Influenza: Prevention, Response and Control Curriculum" in PDF format [in English].)

A knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) study (conducted in the summer of 2007 amongst those living in rural areas from 15 to 60 years old) informed the development of additional printed materials, which were designed to share information. (Click here to access further details about this study in PDF format [in Romanian]). A qualitative study of those who had participated in information, education, and communication (IEC) activities was also carried out. Based on the conclusion that the population generally lacked basic correct information on preventing respiratory infectious diseases, the programme designed an information campaign for the 2007-2008 flu season. Family doctors, district health authorities, hospitals, mayors' offices, and Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) personnel distributed 27,500 stickers, 80,000 brochures, and 35,000 fever cards (click here to view the card in PDF format [in Romanian]). These personnel also independently conducted information sessions with the general public. In addition, RFHI designed, produced, and distributed printed materials, including 140,000 posters (click here to view a poster in PDF format [in Romanian]), 90,000 stickers, 90,000 brochures for teachers, 940,000 flyers (click here to download a flyer in PDF format [in Romanian]), and an additional 15,000 flyers for use in small group sessions in schools, mayors' offices, airports, buses, and other public places. (Click here to view RFHI's 2006 Avian Influenza Children's Flyer in PDF format [in Romanian]).

"Edutainment" was also used as a strategy; during the summer of 2006, a caravan with a puppet show offered what was intended to be an entertaining and interactive approach to providing correct information about avian influenza to 3,500 children and 551 adults from 80 villages in eight districts.

Advocacy approaches featured prominently. For instance, with technical assistance provided by John Show International (JSI), organisers worked to develop a national plan of action. Regarding policy and legislation, efforts focused on bringing together representatives from institutions in Romania with roles in a disaster situation to facilitate consensus building at the policy and strategic level. The team conducted an initial assessment and shared conclusions with key stakeholders, focusing mainly on the need for multisectoral cooperation for a comprehensive, sensitive, and quick response.

Health, Natural Resource Management.

RFHI indicates that in 2005 and 2006 Romania faced two outbreaks of avian flu in both the wild bird population and in some domestic poultry flocks.