In preparation of a possible outbreak of Novel H1N1 influenza in the fall, CHL has prioritized dissemination of information to the public on behaviors to reduce the spread of flu. In late April-June, CHL disseminated 4.8 million fliers and posters and produced an animated public-service announcement (PSA) that reached 67 percent of the estimated Egyptian television audience. In July, CHL distributed 1 million fliers to AskConsult-affiliated pharmacies and stand-up posters to international airports/ports while holding awareness campaigns in youth camps. In August:

Travelers: CHL ordered and oversaw production of a second animated PSA, “Flu Safety Prevention for Pilgrims (see image at left). Featuring the same cartoon character, the spot encourages hygiene and flu-preventive behaviors by travelers who make the umra pilgrimage to Mecca. The spot is to be finalized in mid-September and played in airports, Egypt Air’s in-flight entertainment, and, as available, television. CHL printed 200,000 fliers on the topic for distribution at airports.

Printed materials: CHL designed and printed three posters (see images at right) depicting flu-preventive behaviors (stay home when sick, handwashing, cover your cough/sneeze) and 10,000 H1N1 Q&A booklets.

School packets: By request of the MOH and in coordination with UNICEF, CHL designed, printed and assembled kits to be sent to all 50,000 public and private grade schools in Egypt before the start of the school year Sept. 27. Each school will receive a long box containing 20 posters (five copies each of the original poster and the three new posters, see above item), a teachers guide about H1N1, activity guide, information sheet for the school on prevention the spread of flu, and CD containing all materials plus the original PSA. USAID via CHL is funding 30,000 packets to be delivered by Sept. 15.  CHL is reaching out to private-sector partners to seek funding for the remaining 20,000 packets.

Summer camps:  H1N1 messages are integrated into the existing successful youth-based campaign to stop hepatitis transmission. CHL is supporting the Ministry of Health and the National Youth Council in implementing an awareness campaign in youth summer camps in Ras al Bar (Damietta Governorate), Abou Keir (Alexandria Gov.), and Port Said. The campaign reached 3,100 youth in August including 1,780 females and 1,320 males. After training youths as peer-educators, the partners in August held six seminars and nine health awareness days including knowledge contests as well as distributing 465 coupons for discounted vaccinations against hepatitis.

Broadcast: The original PSA played on Nogoom FM radio and on monitors in Metro subway stations.

Presentations: CHL with Pfizer Egypt gave presentations about H1N1 at 8 workplaces reaching 290 employees; and with Save the Children about avian/pandemic flu to 510 students at Qena Institute of Social Service and 150 female microfinance beneficiaries in Minya.