Abstract

This study provides an evaluation of instructional risk communication practices in Brazil's response to the Zika virus during the 2016/2017 campaign. The communication was instructionally focused, explaining the way the disease is transmitted, what to do if the person is infected, and characteristics of the mosquito. The authorities also tried to convince the publics that, because the mosquito breeds in everyone's houses and apartments, everyone could be part of the solution. The social, economic and cultural characteristics of the country, the population's low levels of health literacy, and a long-lasting government credibility problem in the country make Brazil's fight against these types of diseases considerably difficult. The IDEA model (T. Sellnow & D. Sellnow, 2013) was used as the theoretical grounding for the analysis. This study presents the concepts of collective efficacy and shared responsibility and recommendations for risk and crisis communication practitioners as well as government agencies with regard to engaging the population in managing this type of disease outbreak. Knowledge about how to generate and share strategic communication of this nature is increasingly important as the spread of novel diseases is increasing in frequency and intensity (Kilpatrick & Randolph, 2012).

Notes

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Graduation Date

2018

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Sellnow, Timothy

Degree

Master of Arts (M.A.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Communication

Degree Program

Communication; Mass Communication

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0007050

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0007050

Language

English

Release Date

May 2018

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

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