CBHFA Hygiene Promotion: Better health for migrants in three centres in Serbia through community mobilisation and enabled environment

On Thursday 14 February 2019 a workshop was organised for volunteers and staff active in providing psychosocial support to migrants in Sid, Sombor and Subotica. The workshop is part of the project funded by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and is focused on promoting hygienic habits in the community. At the workshop a methodology was presented that was used in creating a tool for changing the behaviour of individuals and the community that will lead to improved health. In order to improve health, habits should be identified, the way people behave in different circumstances and conditions. Natasa Todorovic and Dr Milutin Vracevic presented the project and its objectives to the participants. The workshop was moderated by Prof Dr Bojana Matejic and doc Dr Bosiljka Djikanovic of the Department of Social medicine of the Medical faculty of the Belgrade University. The participants could learn about behaviour change in relation to health, opportunities and limitations, as well as the phases of behaviour change that include: knowledge, confirmation, intention, practice and advocacy.

During the workshop the participants got to know the tool they will use to collect the data on hygiene habits and intervene on the spot, created by the two professors. The questionnaire has two parts: monitoring of habits related to personal hygiene and hygiene of the living space. The participants could ask questions and make suggestions about implementing this research in the field and engaging with the migrants in centres in order to improve their quality of life.