ABSTRACT

Purpose

The article explores how best agricultural extension and advisory services (AEAS) can contribute to communicative interventions in preventing the COVID-19 outbreak in rural and farming communities.

Methodology

An action research was conducted in Iran, as one of the top countries experiencing the COVID-19 outbreak.

Findings

A strategic communicative intervention campaign for preventing the COVID-19 outbreak was designed at national level through diagnosing the situation, planning, organising expert teams, producing appropriate information, and disseminating through social networks, mass media and interpersonal communications. Extension staff, many relevant institutions, most key rural informants, local leaders, facilitators, farmers and nomads received and exchanged this information.

Practical Implications

These communicative interventions can not only help health care service systems control the outbreak, but help rural communities increase their knowledge about the virus and health measures to participate in preventing further spreading of the virus, while continue their agricultural activities.

Theoretical Implications

Preventing and managing health-related crises require effective measures, including communicative intervention campaigns. The article shows how agricultural extension systems can contribute to crisis and emergency risk communication and can support health care efforts and enhance the competencies of rural communities during human health-related crises.

Originality/Value

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) which has transmitted to all parts of the world, including rural areas, can threaten food security and rural communities’ livelihoods. The study generates important insights about the process of extension interventions for enhancing these communities’ knowledge and skills to prevent and manage the virus transmission.

中文翻译：

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预防新型冠状病毒 (Covid-19) 爆发的沟通干预：来自伊朗农村和农业社区的见解

摘要

目的

本文探讨了最佳农业推广和咨询服务 (AEAS) 如何有助于进行沟通干预，以防止 COVID-19 在农村和农业社区爆发。

方法

作为经历 COVID-19 爆发的主要国家之一，伊朗进行了一项行动研究。

发现

一项预防 COVID-19 爆发的战略性沟通干预活动是在国家层面设计的，方法是诊断情况、规划、组织专家团队、产生适当的信息，并通过社交网络、大众媒体和人际沟通进行传播。推广人员、许多相关机构、最重要的农村信息提供者、地方领导人、促进者、农民和游牧民收到并交换了这些信息。

实际影响

这些交流干预不仅可以帮助卫生保健服务系统控制疫情，还可以帮助农村社区增加对病毒和卫生措施的了解，以参与防止病毒进一步传播，同时继续他们的农业活动。

理论意义

预防和管理与健康相关的危机需要有效的措施，包括交流干预运动。这篇文章展示了农业推广系统如何促进危机和紧急风险沟通，并在人类健康相关危机期间支持医疗保健工作并提高农村社区的能力。

原创性/价值

新型冠状病毒 (COVID-19) 已传播到世界各地，包括农村地区，可能威胁粮食安全和农村社区的生计。该研究产生了有关扩展干预过程的重要见解，以增强这些社区预防和管理病毒传播的知识和技能。