APPLYING RATIONAL MODEL APPROACH IN DECISION MAKING FOR PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF ZIKA OUTBREAK

Abstract

Background: In November 2016, the WHO has declared Zika virus (ZIKV) infection as a public health emergency of international concern. Affected countries have to decide on the suitable control measures of ZIKV outbreak. This article aims to apply the Rational Model in the decision-making of ZIKV outbreak control measures. Materials and Methods: Adopting a scoping review method, articles were identified using three databases through the keywords “decision making theories” or “problem solving” and “public health” or “community health”. Only articles written and published in English within the last 15 years were included. After filtering, 10 articles were reviewed. Result: The Rational decision-making model is positioned as the most promising, effective, and functional decision-making  approach for ZIKV outbreak as it reduces chances of error and optimize resources. There are five domains of control measures in ZIKV outbreak which are decision support tools; technology development; surveillance and monitoring; infrastructural development and behavioural. In Malaysia, integrated vector management, entomological and disease surveillance, enhance infrastructural development and behavioural were practiced in control measures of ZIKV outbreak.  Conclusion: The most common models used in decision making is the Rational Model and the Contingency Model. The basic concepts of Rational Model in decision-making for preventative measure of ZIKV outbreak were discussed in this article. Keywords: decision making, rational model, Zika virus outbreak