The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population recently hosted a workshop titled "Conducting Social Surveys and Measuring Behavioral Motivations." The event, which took place on September 26, 2026, brought together 40 participants from 14 governorates. These participants are responsible for health and population awareness campaigns. The workshop was supported by UNICEF and aimed to enhance the efficiency of awareness teams in governorates. It also sought to promote the use of modern scientific methods in understanding and analyzing societal behaviors and motivations.
According to Dr. Hussam Abdel-Ghafar, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, the workshop focused on developing participants' skills in identifying behavioral motivations among different societal groups. The training also covered the use of social survey tools to collect and analyze information. This information helps in understanding factors that influence health behavior. The goal is to enable awareness teams to shift from simply conveying information to providing awareness based on understanding the public's needs, motivations, and trends.
The workshop covered several key topics. These included the concept and importance of social surveys in awareness work, identifying target groups and their health and awareness needs, and understanding behavioral motivations. The factors influencing health decision-making were also discussed. Participants learned about using data collection tools and analyzing survey results. They also studied how to convert behavior analysis results into appropriate awareness messages. These messages are linked to the desired health behavior change.
Dr. Abdel-Ghafar highlighted that the training is expected to improve the efficiency of governorate awareness teams. It will help them understand the community before addressing it and identify underlying reasons and motivations behind certain health behaviors. This represents a step towards enhancing the use of community data in planning and implementing awareness activities. It also involves measuring their response to the needs of target groups.
The workshop's training program included practical applications and case studies on various health situations and behaviors. By the end of the workshop, participants were encouraged to share the knowledge and skills they acquired with awareness teams in their governorates. This is crucial for expanding the benefits and ensuring the sustainability of the impact.
The Ministry of Health emphasized the importance of conducting opinion polls and focus groups on priority topics. Examples include the Positive Parenting Program, which focuses on parental mental health and psychological support for children. The program also covers positive discipline and skill development, along with proper nutrition and its impact on family health.
The initiative aligns with Egypt's efforts to improve public health and well-being. By enhancing the capabilities of awareness teams, the Ministry aims to implement more effective health awareness campaigns. These campaigns are based on a deep understanding of societal behaviors and motivations, ultimately contributing to positive health outcomes.
Key points
- The workshop was attended by 40 participants from 14 governorates.
- The training aimed to enhance the efficiency of awareness teams in governorates.
- The initiative is supported by UNICEF.
