Introduction to the Advanced BCC Course for Practitioners (ABCP)

Behaviour Change Communications (BCC) is highlighted in one of the key Policy Directions  in the Cambodian Ministry of Health’s (MoH) “Health Strategic Plan 2008-2015” (HSP).  The Policy Directions are the first step toward implementation of the HSP.

The relevant HSP Policy Direction states:

“Promote quality of life and healthy lifestyles of the population by raising health awareness and creating supportive environments, including through strengthening institutional structures, financial and human resources, and IEC materials for health promotion, behaviour change communication and appropriate health seeking practices.

This Policy Direction follows on from the HSP long term vision of MoH which is “to enhance sustainable development of the health sector for better health and well-being of all Cambodian, especially of the poor, women and children, thereby contributing to poverty alleviation and socio-economic development.”

This Advanced Behaviour Change Course for Practitioners (ABCP) contributes to the implementation of this significant Policy Direction and to the fulfilment of the MoH vision.

Objectives of the course

By the end of the ABCP, the participants should be able to:

• explain the new health system and health coverage;
• explain the basic ideas and paradigm shift of health education, health promotion, information, education and communication (IEC) and BCC;
• carry out a situation analysis, a needs assessment and explain the different methods of communication research;
• plan and implement a strategic BCC program;
• produce BCC messages and materials that are adapted to people’s needs;
• apply different methods of monitoring and evaluation;
• train BCC practitioners at the central, provincial and village levels in BCC; and
• reflect on their personal and professional attitude and practice as health promoters.

Participants and requirements

The intended course participants are upper-level Cambodian staff from governmental or non-governmental organisations, the MoH and UN agencies, who already have knowledge of and experience in health promotion, public health and BCC. Their educational background may vary from medical, social or educational to a development background with work experience in the health sector.

This modular training course is designed for a maximum of 23 participants. The number of participants should be limited in order to allow a participatory facilitation and learning approach.

The participant selection process will take place according to the entry requirement criteria.

Course modules and enrolment schedules

The ABCP is divided into seven training modules. These modules are subdivided into three to five units that contain the content, exercises and home assignments of the training.

Registrations and tuition fee

Interested applicants could apply for any modules which are relevant to their field and will offer a certificate of the National Centre for Health Promotion, not the MOH diploma.

For those who register the hold course modules before starting training the organizers will discount 15% of the total fee.

Training fee is $200 per participant per module that excludes Daily Substantial Allowance (DSA)

The NCHP organizers reserve the right to cancel a course, at the latest one week prior to the start of the course if there are registered participants less than seven people.

For further information about the ABCP Course please contact:

Dr. Lim Pich: 012 333 825; E-mail: pichlim@yahoo.com

Dr. Ouk Sokun: 012 803 042; E-mail: ouk_sokun@yahoo.com