With funding from USAID, AED has developed a behavior change communications program targeted to family poultry farmers in Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. AED's goal is to get poultry farmers and vendors in remote and rural areas to handle and manage their birds differently so they can reduce the possibilities of their birds contracting and spreading avian flu.

AED has conducted research among backyard poultry farmers in these countries and found that the level of awareness about bird flu is high. Knowledge of specific activities or ways to contain or prevent it is still low, however. Moreover, some of the best ways of preventing the spread of avian influenza, such as keeping chickens in cages in stead of letting them run free, require major changes in poultry management.

AED is working with partners like the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Lao Journalists Association, Vietnam Women's Union, and Agronomes et Vétérinaires sans frontières to reach small farmers and their families with persuasive messages, as well as using radio and television to spread the word about avian flu.

Solutions for Farm-Related Risk Behaviors [PDF - 11KB]