Child Health Interactive Poster [Zambia]

Malaria Consortium supported the Ministry of Health in rolling out an integrated community case management (ICCM) program in the Luapula province of Zambia from 2009 to 2012.

Formative research conducted on the onset of the ICCM program showed that having trained CHWs (community health workers) in place is not enough to change sick child care pathways. The health communication intervention combined the promotion of community health workers’ services (trained and equipped to diagnose and treat under-fives with fever, respiratory infections and diarrhea) and Community Dialogues providing communities with a platform to extensively discuss,

Visual materials included posters, a community dialogue guidebook, and this interactive poster and flash card set, all in the local language of Bemba. This tool was created to allow low-literacy care-givers to explore and discuss current and ideal care options in the event of childhood illness. The tool comprises a large-size poster featuring pathways (or routes) for a healthy baby to grow into a healthy school-age child, and a set of 30 colorful flash cards featuring various child conditions and care options.

During Community Dialogue sessions, facilitated by trained community members in collaboration with Community Health Workers (CHW), care-givers and key household decision-makers are asked to tell their story of what happened the last time their child was sick by placing the relevant cards along the pathway. Then, participants discuss the chosen pathway, exploring the benefits and risks of various care options, and reach an agreement on the right timing and provider for childhood illnesses as well as best prevention measures.

Monitoring and observation data show that the interactive poster and flash cards were instrumental and unanimously appreciated both by participants and community dialogues facilitators; facilitators noted that these materials made the animation of the session easier for them, as participants take ownership of the session and contribute with their story by placing the cards. Evaluation also showed that the community dialogue approach using these interactive visual materials allowed for the exploration of a topic through open discussion and filling knowledge gaps, correcting misconceptions around the three target diseases in children and possible causes.

Source: Malaria Consortium

Date of Publication: March 25, 2019