Zika Prevention Behavior Matrix

"Lessons learned from behavioral science, marketing and adult learning have demonstrated that individuals need to hear a message multiple times before they are compelled to take action."

During the first year of the Zika response in Latin America and the Caribbean, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) found that over 30 behaviours were being promoted as part of social and behaviour change (SBC) efforts. In an effort to increase the chances that behaviours to prevent Zika at the household and community level are adopted correctly, USAID worked with Breakthrough ACTION, Breakthrough RESEARCH, and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to focus prevention efforts around a shorter, common set of most promising behaviours. The result was this Zika Prevention Behavior Matrix, which can be used in conjunction with an online guide available at Related Summaries, below.

Following a review of supporting literature, the team developed three criteria to analyse each behaviour in terms of efficacy, effectiveness, and feasibility. Colour-coding was used to show the rating of each criteria according to the literature and field experience. The tables are organised according to: Personal Protection Behaviors; Household and Community Vector Control Behaviors; and Enabling Behaviors. Prioritised behaviors are: applying mosquito repellent, using condoms, removing unintentional standing water, covering and scrubbing walls of water storage containers, seeking prenatal care, and seeking counseling on family planning if not planning to get pregnant. At the bottom of each table, there is a summary statement on the overall efficacy and feasibility of the behaviour.