The Community Dialogue Approach was developed by Malaria Consortium and is based on the Integrated Model of Communication for Social Change (IMCFSC) where an iterative process of community dialogue and collective action work together to produce social change in a community that improves the health and welfare of all of its members. Community-based volunteers are training to facilitate regular community meetings where specific health issue affecting the community are explored, local solutions are identified, and participates collectively decide and plan how best to address the issue. The approach is embedded within existing community and health structures allowing for social accountability and technical oversight. It is designed to empower individuals, and over time strengthen the relationship between communities and health service providers. This approach has been used successfully in multiple contexts to improve the uptake of health services and promote the adoption of positive health behaviours for a range of other health issues.
Read our briefing note on the use of one Health and community engagement to tackle antimicrobial resistance. The briefing note features the findings of two studies conducted in Bangladesh and offers recommendations for policy makers, practitioners and researchers.