Title: Communication and dissemination of public health through infographics: case study of rabies in Sarawak, Malaysia

Authors: Siew King Ting; Li Li Lau; Bodis Francis Ninggoi

Addresses: Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Sarawak, Jalan Meranek, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia ' Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Sarawak, Jalan Meranek, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia ' Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Sarawak, Jalan Meranek, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract: Infographics are widely used to communicate scientific facts to the public as one of the tools to create public awareness and education. The Sarawak government has utilised infographics in social media platforms to manage and prevent rabies. Based on the official Facebook of the two selected government authorities, we analyse online infographics from 2017 to 2024 and categorise them into six themes using thematic analysis. These themes include enforcement of legislation and by-laws, declaration of rabies-infected areas, responsible dog ownership, mass dog vaccination, public awareness and disease education and strays population control. Our research shows that the infographics are comprehensive and capable of conveying the themes of rabies management and prevention, and social support roles provided by the government to public. Several policy recommendations are advanced for information dissemination via infographics in social media.

Keywords: rabies; infographics; information dissemination; social media and social support theory.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBHR.2024.144294

International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, 2024 Vol.9 No.3/4, pp.235 - 251

Received: 22 Oct 2024
Accepted: 07 Jan 2025
Published online: 04 Feb 2025 *

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