Project

1.1 Manuscript writing and publication Description: The Ethiopian Health Education and Promotion Professionals Association (EHEPA) has been working on generating and synthesizing evidence in the field of SBC. In collaboration with UNICEF Ethiopia, member academicians and SBC practitioners, EHEPA has been preparing manuscripts on various thematic areas for publication in peer-reviewed journals. This initiative aims to contribute to evidence-based decision making and share Knowledge and best practices in the field of public health and social and behavior change (SBC).. Link of publications 1. Assessment of willingness and determinants to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among thegeneral population of the Somali region, Eastern Ethiopia: a 2021 cross-sectional study Click link 2. Baby WASH and diarrhea prevention practices following multimedia educationalintervention in hard-to-reach areas of the Afar and Somali regions of Ethiopia: a mixed-method endline evaluation Click link 3. Social and behavior change communication competency among front-line healthcare system actors in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study Click link 4. Reach and impact of a nationwide media campaign in Ethiopia for promoting safe breastfeeding practices in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic Click link 5. Awareness and healthcare seeking behavior of neonatal danger signs, and predictorvariables among mothers/caregivers in four developing regional state of Ethiopia Click link 6. Assessment of COVID-19 vaccine uptake and associated factors among healthcareworkers in selected health facilities of the Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study conducted in 2021 Click link 7. Acceptance of multiple micronutrient supplementations (MMS) and iron and folic acid supplement utilisation among pregnant and lactating women in the rural part of Ethiopia, 2022: a cross-sectional study Click link 8. Behavioural and social drivers of immunisation among zero dose children in pastoralist communities of Ethiopia: a qualitative study Click link 2.2 Behavioral insight training Manual contextualization Description: the EHEPA team, in collaboration with the BIRDLAB team, adopted andcontextualized the Behavioral Insight Training Manual The manual is designed to provide SBCpractitioners and professionals engaged in Social and behavior change ( SBC) activities with acomprehensive understanding of behavioral insights and how they can be applied to improvehealth outcomes. Behavioral insight training Manual

Capacity Building Trainings 1.1 Training on social and behavior change (SBC) Description: The Ethiopian Health Education and Promotion Professionals Association(EHEPA) has provided three rounds of comprehensive training on social and behaviorchange (SBC) to enhance the participants’ knowledge and skills in designing,implementing, and evaluating SBC interventions to address public health and non-health problems in their respective organization.. The training was provided from October toDecember 2023 in Sidama and Jimma, Ethiopia, targeting managers and programofficers from various government and non-governmental organizations working inSidam and South west regiones. 1.2 Training on Health education and Health Promotion Description: The Ethiopian Health Education and Promotion Professionals Association (EHEPA) has provided two rounds of training on Health education and Health promotion for healthcare providers at EKA General Hospital from May to June 2024. This training initiative aims to enhance the capacity of healthcare professionals by equipping them with the knowledge and skills in Health Education and Promotion, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes. The training helped health care providers to understand the principles and concepts of social and behavior change (SBC), develop effective health communication skills, address the behavioral factors that influence health outcomes to effectively promote behavior change among their patients and implement SBC strategies in their practice.

Project Title Assessment of Behavioral and Social Drivers (BeSD) of vaccination amongst Children from zero-dose and under-immunized communities in Ethiopia: an insight to develop tailored strategies to promote vaccine uptake and close equity gaps Project Description This Project was conducted collaboratively by the Ethiopian Health Education and Promotion Professionals Association (EHEPA) with the support provided by UNICEF. The aim of this project was to inform the development of tailored strategies aimed at enhancing routine childhood immunization. A qualitative exploratory study was conducted in five selected regions of Ethiopia (Addis Ababa, Oromia, Gambella, Somali and Afar) from November to December, 2023. Project Description The Study tools that were developed after reviewing relevant literatures and using both the human centered design and Behavioral and Social Drivers (BeSD) frameworks. underwent validation during a workshop with stakeholders and the National Communication & Community Engagement Technical Working Group (C-TWG) to gather insights and feedback on their efficacy. Phase one The first phase took place from November 9 to November 30, 2023, with caregivers who have at least one child had aged 0-24 months and/or under-five children eligible for immunization services residing in peri-urban/urban-slum, IDP, refugees and pastoralist areas of Oromia, Addis Ababa, Gambella Phase Two The second phase was conducted from December 8 to December 30, 2023 With caregivers who have at least one child had aged 0-24 months and/or under-five children eligible for immunization services residing in pastoralist areas of, Somali and Afar regions. Partners: UNICEF, and MOH Partners: UNICEF, and MOH