UPV helps City Hall improve COVID-19 education drive

UP Visayas is aiding the Iloilo City government in strengthening and sustaining its communication campaign on the COVID-19 pandemic.

The move follows in the heels of a survey indicating gaps in the knowledge of Iloilo City residents on COVID-19, particularly its symptoms, effect, and interventions.

In a statement, UPV said it is helping evaluate existing information, education, and communication (IEC) materials produced and developed by the Iloilo City Communication Team.

As recommended by UPV, there is a need to conduct information needs assessment to find out existing level of knowledge and health practices of the residents about COVID health and safety protocols, information sources,  and the extent of LGU support.

Based on “knowledge gaps” revealed by the survey results, UPV recommended communication strategies intended to mobilize the barangay officials, identified health care providers, media institutions, social and religious organizations, and heads and/or representatives of households in the implementation of the suggested communication package plan.

The strategies aim to:

1. Increase the visibility of COVID and/or COVID-related information in the barangay;
2. Encourage partnership and community support from barangay leaders, local organizations, media institutions, and local healthcare providers;
3. Develop IEC materials to address “knowledge gaps” based on survey results;
4. Ensure coordination of all information messages between and among information sources;
5. Orient barangay health workers with sufficient information that will allow them to answer common questions asked by the residents about COVID;
6. Provide residents with easy access to health information resources;
7. Create a mechanism for information dissemination;
8. Provide a venue for regular meetings to listen to reports and feedbacks;
9. Create sustained media outreach.
10. Evaluate communication efforts.

A number of the recommended activities have already been implemented, while some are for implementation soon.