Insight
The Communications Support for Health Project (CSH, 2010-2014) assisted the Government of Zambia to utilize strategic health communications to effectively address key health areas: malaria, HIV/AIDS, maternal/child health, family planning/reproductive health, and nutrition. The project emphasized formative research, behavior-centered strategies, capacity building, and active engagement of civil society and private sector partners to implement national-level behavior change communications (BCC) campaigns.
CSH facilitated numerous behavior-centered programming courses for government and development partners at national and provincial levels and assisted district roll-out for over 500 Zambians. Four Zambian academic institutions adapted the course for their staff, members, and students.
In the 131 communities reached by CSH’s malaria SBCC campaign, 10% more children under the age of 5 slept under insecticide-treated bed nets than in non-participating communities. This led to a 5% overall reduction in the incidence of fever in this age group. Moreover, the rate of malaria testing of children under 5 who presented with fever was 25% higher in participating communities.
TMG provided technical assistance to the development of an HIV-themed TV drama known as Love Games. A key aspect of Zambia’s nationwide Safe Love campaign, the program was effective in reaching urban audiences and engaging them through follow-on social media and hotline opportunities for information-seeking. On the heels of two successful seasons, Love Games was picked up for a primetime slot on Africa Magic, a cable system reaching three million households in 48 African countries, as well as by national broadcast companies in Nigeria and Namibia. Click on the photo at right to watch an episode.
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