At source control of diseases – What is the role of communication?

Author: Othieno O Joseph – University of Nairobi, Kenya

Source control is a disease management intervention that has been used mostly to manage infectious diseases at an individual level. However with increasing incidences of disease pandemics of emerging, re-emerging and zoonotic diseases that widen the source of such outbreaks; there is need re-look the concept and come with better strategies. “At Source Control of Diseases” has been coined out of the source control concept.

Human behaviour is a crucial factor in disease spread among populations and finds application in both source control and at source control concepts. This paper is a literature review of the role of communication in source control of zoonotic diseases. Emphasis is put on zoonotic diseases owing to their relatively “wider source” that necessitate application of an encompassing communication strategy.

In addition the paper proposes diffusion and osmosis novel models of communication; which are thought to be appealing to the scientific audience serves as a credible source of information during pandemics. Other sources like policy makers and the mass media are also addressed. The paper notes the challenges that communication has faced as a source control of zoonotic diseases and proposes how such challenges can be overcome.

In conclusion it is noted that effective communication has a great role to play in at source control of zoonotic diseases but it is still a gray areas that calls for more research.

The author has not yet submitted a copy of the full paper.

Presentation type: Visual talk
Theme: Science
Area of interest: Investigating science communication practices