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Project to Strengthen TB Control Programs: Third Workshop

(Georgetown Club, Georgetown, Guyana, 13–15 September 2004)

Sponsored by PAHO-CAREC in collaboration with the Ministries of Health of Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname, as part of the planned program of activities for the Project to Strengthen National TB Control Programs, and the technical cooperation in the countries (TCC) promoted by the PAHO/WHO Representative of Trinidad & Tobago.

Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC)

PAHO Tuberculosis Page

Main Purpose: To train participants in how to prepare a health-communication strategy for health-promotion activities in the area of TB control. Participants included representatives from Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, the Ministry of Health of Guyana, and the various regions of Guyana.

Objectives   |   Summary

• Understand the concept of Health communication as it relates to health promotion.
• Recognize the crucial role of communication in behavior change.
• Discuss different health-communication models and strategies.
• Learn some methodologies for developing health-communication plans.
• Understand the concept of community participation as tool for health promotion.
• Write a health-communication strategy for TB Programs.
• Learn to evaluate health communication in the area of TB control.

Summary

In the opening session, the PAHO/WHO Representative (PWR) in Guyana, Dr. Bernadette Theodore-Gandi, welcomed the participants and expressed her satisfaction with the workshop and for the chance to share her experiences with others and to learn from them. Together with Sonya Roopnauth, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, extended his welcome as well and urged all participants to take advantage of the discussions and shared experiences in order to improve tuberculosis control programs in the three countries. Also in attendance were Dr. Gina Watson, Project Coordinator, and Mrs. Marlene Francis, CAREC epidemiologist.

This workshop was designed to provide participants with knowledge on the concepts and principles of health communication and health promotion. It provided them with an opportunity for practical sessions for developing techniques to evaluate the effectiveness of health communication. The workshop was an interactive experience with a mix of group activities and plenary sessions.

In the closing session, Dr. Gina Watson, Project Coordinator, extended her thanks to the organizers of the workshop and expressed her satisfaction with its results, before discussing the project's next steps.