Social motivation approach for rural health improvement

THE MODEL WAS ORIGINALLY APPLIED IN COSTA RICA, BUT MOST COMPONENTS OF THE MODEL CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO SIMILAR PROJECTS IN OTHER COUNTRIES. THE APPROACH USED IN MAINLY A SOCIAL ONE AND IS DIRECTED TOWARD BUILDING ON EXISTING SOCIAL STRUCTURES AND PROCESSES. THE MODEL DRAWS UPON EXISTING RESOURCES AND EMPHASIZES WAYS TO DIRECT UNUSED MEDIA AND HUMAN RESOURCES CAPACITY TOWARD THE SOLUTION OF HEALTH PROBLEMS. KEY COMPONENTS USED IN DEVELOPING THIS MODEL ARE A LOW COST, RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO BENEFIT THE RURAL MAJORITY, INDEPENDENCE OF HEALTH PERSONNEL, AND AN EMPHASIS ON PREVENTION AND SELF-RELIANCE IN HEALTH. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY IS USED TO LINK A CENTRALIZED RADIO STATION WITH EXISTING LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS WHICH ARE THE LEARNING AND ACTION UNITS. THIS APPROACH STRESSES MOTIVATION MORE THAN INSTRUCTION. OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE PROJECT INCLUDE THE RECONCILIATION OF CENTRAL AND LOCAL DECISION-MAKING AND RESPONSIBILITY AND THE ALLOCATION OF SCARCE RESOURCES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL TO MOTIVATED COMMUNITIES. IT INCLUDES PLANNING FOR THOSE PERSONS NOT INITIALLY INTERESTED. THIS DOCUMENT COVERS THE FINANCING OF THE MODEL COMPONENTS, THE UTILIZATION OF PROJECT RESOURCES, THE ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATIONS IN WHICH THE MODEL IS TO BE IMPLEMENTED, SIMILAR PROJECTS IN ECUADOR, NICARAGUA, TANZANIA, AND THE PHILLIPPINES, AND ISSUES OF FEASIBILITY. THE DISCUSSION IS ACCOMPANIED BY DIAGRAMS WHICH SUMMARIZE THE APPROACHES TO BE USED.