In the weeks leading up to school-based deworming, the program should be communicated throughout the community, and particularly to children, parents, teachers, community leaders, religious leaders and local officials. Specific information to convey includes the benefits and safety of deworming, program dates and encouragement of non-enrolled children, and the possibility of minor side effects in children with heavy worm loads.

Good awareness campaigns build local support and ownership of the program, and are vital to the success and sustainability of school-based deworming. They encourage good turn out on deworming day, including younger siblings and non-enrolled children, and prevent confusion or hysteria if uninformed about the program or potential side effects of deworming.

The campaign should be locally appropriate, including language and method of outreach, and employ a variety of approaches, for example:

• Press conferences and government media interviews
  
• National and local events such as parades or sports
  
• Newspaper reports, radio and television broadcasts;
  
• School and community posters, announcements and plays
  
• Meetings with and the endorsement of community leaders and associations, including the Parent Teacher Association or School Management Committees.