USAID Nepal Family Health Program II Nepal Family Health Program II
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Health Behavior

Improving people's health often requires people to change their behaviors around health. Programs and health providers must give attention to the 'demand' side of public health. We need to find ways of making it easier and more attractive for people to seek out the services that can protect and improve their health. And we need to find effective ways to encourage practices in the home that can make people healthier or avoid unnecessary risks. So while NFHP II focuses primarily on quality and coverage of primary health care services, the ultimate goal is to reduce deaths among mothers and children. To achieve this means that we must also change people's health-seeking behaviors.

In order to develop effective approaches, NFHP begins by identifying the factors that help or hinder people in making healthy choices. We then develop strategies targeting the key factors. Approaches can include mass media, work through opinion leaders, local communications approaches, interpersonal communications, and whatever other methods are most likely to effectively gain traction on the problems addressed. Two channels often used include female community health workers and radio.

To learn more about NFHP's work in behavior change communication, go to our Resources.

NFHP II is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., with EngenderHealth, Jhpiego, Save the Children, World Education, Inc., Nepali Technical Assistance Group, Nepal Fertility Care Center, Management Support Services Private Ltd., and Nepal Red Cross Society. Copyright 2008 John Snow, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The information provided on this web site is not official U.S. Government information and does not represent the views or positions of the USAID or the U.S. Government. The contents are the responsibility of the NFHP II implementer (JSI) and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. For more information, please contact: webmaster@jsi.com.