The Role of Social and Behaviour Change in Community Health Systems
In the Middle East and North Africa
At the heart of building an equitable, inclusive, and resilient community health system is the role that social and behaviour change (SBC) plays in improving services and promoting the uptake of healthy practices among communities. SBC, a proven technical approach that encompasses health promotion (HP), information, education and communication (IEC), communication for development (C4D), social mobilisation, as well as risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) strategies, be it through media, digital or in-person platforms, seeks to foster healthier and more resilient communities by analysing and addressing the social and behavioural determinants of health outcomes.
In the MENA region, SBC has been instrumental in overcoming barriers like public misperceptions and adverse gender norms, enhancing the capacity of health service providers, combating misinformation about diseases, and promoting life-saving health behaviors. By engaging local influencers and community leaders, SBC empowers communities to seek quality health services and builds trust between communities and health systems.
SBC also plays a vital role in enhancing the capacity of community health workers (CHWs) and mobilizing volunteers to spread health promotion messages, especially during public health emergencies. For instance, training programs that incorporate interpersonal communication and human-centered design techniques have been integrated into curricula in countries like Iraq and Lebanon. Investing in SBC, particularly in community engagement and accountability platforms, is essential for improving the effectiveness of community-based primary health systems and achieving universal health coverage in the MENA region.
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Explore country-specific examples and initiatives by clicking on the links below:
Egypt
Jordan
Lebanon
Sudan
Syria
Yemen
Other countries
Other Countries in the Region (Content in French):
Explore initiatives and stories from Djibouti, Morocco, and Tunisia.
Morocco
- Une caravane du changement | UNICEF
- 100% Moms: Women Who Fight COVID19 | UNICEF
- Y-Peer: A role model for young people in action in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic in Morocco | UNICEF
Tunisia
Djibouti