Self Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 9

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering these questions. Write your answers in your Study Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next Study Support Meeting. You can check your answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment Questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 9.1 (tests Learning Outcomes 9.1 and 9.3)

  • a.What is meant by a community conversation?
  • b.In what circumstances might you arrange a community conversation about your immunization programme?
  • c.Who would you invite?

Answer

  • a.A community conversation is a process of discussion with a community group. It looks into an issue that is causing problems locally and seeks to find collective solutions to these problems.
  • b.There are many situations where you might decide to arrange a community conversation about your immunization programme; for example:
    • If you have large numbers of families who do not bring their children for immunization
    • If you have a high dropout rate from the immunization programme in parts of your kebele
    • If children have had serious adverse reactions after immunization
    • If you believe there are negative rumours circulating in the community about immunization.
  • c.The appropriate people to invite will depend on the situation:
    • If you have large numbers of families who do not bring their children for immunization, you could invite representatives of those families and also any of their neighbours who do bring their children for immunization.
    • If you have a high dropout rate from the immunization programme in parts of your kebele, you could invite parents from families whose children started their vaccinations, but did not complete them.
    • If children have had serious adverse reactions after immunization, you might invite the parents of those particular children, together with other parents whose children were not adversely affected.
    • If you believe there are negative rumours circulating in the community about immunization, you might invite those who you believe are being influenced by the rumours, together with community leaders and other influential people in your local community who support immunization.

SAQ 9.2 (tests Learning Outcome 9.2)

Supposing you wanted to increase the low immunization coverage rate in one particular group of parents in your kebele. What steps would you take in the planning process to address this problem?

Answer

The steps you should undertake in planning your strategy are:

  1. Communication needs assessment — try to find out which parents are not accessing the immunization programme and why this might be.
  2. Set specific and measurable objectives — identify what barriers need to be removed in order to improve coverage rates, and what communication activities might support this goal. Establish what community resources you might have available to address the problem.
  3. Plan appropriate strategies or activities, e.g. a focus group with parents, a community conversation, a meeting with opinion leaders, etc.
  4. Prepare your action plan — decide when and where the communication activities will take place, who will lead them, who will be invited, how you will advertise the event and ensure the right people attend it.
  5. Implement your plan.
  6. Monitor and evaluate the outcomes of your communication activity — record how many people took part, and whether they changed their behaviour afterwards and brought their children for immunization.

SAQ 9.3 (tests Learning Outcome 9.3)

Suppose that you find the main reason given for high dropout from the immunization programme is a lack of awareness of when or where immunizations take place. What measures might you take to improve the situation?

Answer

Lack of accurate knowledge about the immunization service could be improved by better communication. You should make sure that you communicate the times and places for the immunization sessions effectively, so that they are known to everyone. You could do this by posting notices where they will easily be seen, telling all your clients when you see them at the Health Post, or in their homes, at the market, etc., and asking your community volunteers to tell everyone they visit. You could ask community or religious leaders to announce the dates and locations of immunization sessions during their own meetings.

SAQ 9.4 (tests Learning Outcome 9.4)

Imagine that you discover there is a rumour circulating in your kebele that measles vaccination causes deafness. What would you do?

Answer

If you discover such a rumour, you should do the following:

  • Report the rumour and seek advice from your supervisor and health centre officials about how to deal with it.
  • Collect information about the rumour — who has started it? Why do they think that measles vaccination causes deafness? Has the rumour started because of incorrect information, or is there some other reason?
  • Meet with opinion leaders — give them an opportunity to ask questions, and provide clear information about the dangers of measles and how vaccination can prevent it.
  • Train community volunteers to give correct information about the measles vaccine and how to deal with the rumour.
  • Arrange meetings with concerned parents to communicate correct information about measles vaccination.
  • Prepare posters and print materials and distribute them around your kebele explaining in simple local language about the benefits of measles vaccination and that it very rarely causes any bad effects.

Summary of Study Session 9