AI.COMM - Avian and Pandemic Influenza Resource Link

The study included participant observation, individual interviews, focus groups,
meetings with authorities, and PAR methods such as mapping, transect walks, matrix
ranking, chappati pies and seasonal calendars. There were in-depth interviews with
village authorities and elders; and four focus group discussions with village women
and men (in separate focus groups). Perhaps even more important than collecting the
information, the results were presented by the villagers themselves to community
and village authorities – along with a presentation by each village chief on the main
problems and possible future actions – and project technical advisors assisted the
villagers and their local leadership to formalize prevention action plans.
For each village, the team looked
at: the importance of poultry; how
seasonal events and climate infl uence
poultry movement, use and roles;
gender roles regarding poultry;
preferred information channels; how
they protect themselves from poultry
disease; and preferred village actions
to prevent AI. These results were
linked to village actions to prevent AI,
and led to the creation of an action
plan by the village chiefs. Overall, the
participatory process offered insight
into villagers’ interests and concerns
about their lives, and helped them
to visualize challenges they face
in preventing AI. It also served
to create effective community
communications activities that
are realistic and achievable, a crucial
factor with a multi-faceted issue
such as AI that has implications on
livelihoods and health.
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