Introduction

Health   Communication   encompasses   the    use    of    communication strategies to inform and influence   individual and community decisions that enhance health. For individuals, effective health communication can help raise awareness, provide motivation and skills needed to reduce risks and affect or reinforce attitudes. For the    community health communication can be used to influence the public agenda, advocate for policies and promote     positive changes in the socioeconomic and physical  environment. Comprehensive health communication  programs  should  include  a  systematic  exploration of all the factors that contribute to health and the strategies that could be used to influence these factors.

Micronutrient malnutrition is a global problem, a Regional problem and a problem in Egypt, especially iodine         deficiency and iron deficiency. There are four main strategies implemented year after year for prevention and control of micronutrient malnutrition {food fortification-supplementation-dietary diversification-and nutrition education/communication}. In order to succeed in combating malnutrition these form strategies must go hand in hand.

In Egypt there are many various projects and programs for prevention and control of micronutrient malnutrition, yet they do not always successfully achieve expected outcomes due to lack of a proper communication component,       inadequate planning in addition to the lack of advocacy skills among most health professionals.

In view of its unique position the National Nutrition      Institute/WHO Collaborating Center in Nutrition Training and Research is the best suited to organize and conduct a    training course on communication strategies in Prevention and Control of Micronutrient Malnutrition due to the large pool of nutrition experts, health communication resources in addition to its unique advantage of expertise in the    application and use of CDCynergy training module which is an interactive  CD-Rom which was developed by (CDC) Centers For Disease Control and Prevention to facilitate communication planning in a guided step-by-step manner .

General course objectives :

• To discuss the existing health education/ communication methods used in prevention/control of micronutrient malnutrition in Egypt.
• To introduce state-of –the-art health communication techniques with special focus on systematic planning process using CDCynergy a web linked interactive computer based tool.
• To enable participants to an improved strategy on the prevention and control of micronutrient malnutrition to be applicable at provincial as well as at national levels.

Course Participants
The workshop/Course will target

• Senior and Mid-level governmental nutrition and health communication and/education officers and educators .
• Academic staff of Health education/communication departments of Universities and Academic Institutions.
• Health/nutrition educators and professionals working in the field of communication in National organizations /or NGOs.

Prerequisites and Criteria of Acceptance

·          English Language Proficiency.

·          Basic computer  skills.

·          5 years work experience in Health/Nutrition    Education/Communication.

·          Previous Education/Training Background in  Health Communication/ education.

·          Letter of Recommendation from Employer and Official leave of absence from work during the workshop

Duration of course :
2 weeks

Learning Methods:

• Lecture/discussion.
• Individual and group exercises on communication planning.
• Computer- assisted Planning exercises Videos.

Distinct Features:
The use of innovative teaching techniques such as active and cooperative learning as well as the application of a self –teaching web-linked computer planning tool.

.
Language of Workshop:
English. 

Applicants should submit:

·          The enclosed application form, duly completed.

·         A certificate of proficiency in the English language (for applicants from non-English speaking countries).

·         The Management Board will only consider fully documented applications .

Applicants will be informed about acceptance in proper time before the course. Places are limited to 20 and offered to suitable qualified candidates who secure the financial support.

 Applications may be forwarded to:

The Chairman of the Management Board:

16, Kasr El Aini Street, Cairo, Egypt Fax: 202 – 3647476

For Arabic Registration Form Click here

For English Registration Form Click here