Speaking Books Innovative Health Education Tool

Transcription

1 Speaking Books Innovative Health Education Tool The South African Depression & Anxiety Group Elizabeth Matare Chief Executive

2 The Context in South Africa

3 Literacy Levels: Threatens 785 million adults worldwide 1 in 5 adults are illiterate globally 2/3 of them are women India alone has over 440 million illiterate citizens Low literacy rates concentrated in 3 regions: South and West Asia Sub-Saharan Africa Arab States Africa has less than 60% literacy rate *please note: all people in the pictures used have given their permission to use the pictures

4 Why a concern? Growing national debt Increased poverty Unemployment shift Overshadow importance of national literacy

5 Consequences of Low Literacy Less likely to understand medical procedures from physicans and medical professionals May not read or understand prescriptions May not be able to navigate the health system to access the needed services People with low health literacy are 12 to 18 times more likely to confuse their medical regimen Illiteracy is a potentially lifethreatening health issue

6 Context & Relevance: Health Care Africa experiencing critical health care crisis Pandemics HIV and AIDS; TB and Malaria Severe lack of resources and trained medical staff Limpopo Province 3.8 million people, a 60-bed psychiatric facility, NO state psychiatrist Focus is on rural areas vulnerable and excluded people

7 The Need for a Solution: Pamphlets and brochures now seem to be ineffective considering the global illiteracy levels Centre for Disease Control The need has now arisen for a new form of innovative communication and instruction that can instill knowledge in all people (literate or not)

8 The Innovation: The Speaking Book Hard-covered Colourful local illustrations 16 pages 30-second soundtrack per page Multi-Language approach 6 SA languages 3 Other International languages Appropriate language for region Celebrity voices

9 Advantages of Speaking Books Visual messages accompanied by sound are doubly effective at conveying accurate messages. Messages heard as well as seen are more readily retained. They appeal to several senses and help focus attention In the absence of trained personnel, allow information dissemination Speaking Books open discussion on stigmatized health care Privacy

10 Continued The Speaking Book is not dependent on electricity or transmission range. Battery availability is high. Can be replayed as often as required to reinforce the message. The programme may offer answers to questions the listener hasn t yet asked. Speaking Books are user-driven: the audience can play and replay the message at any time, at their own pace. Messages are relevant, readily available and don t expire.

11 Speaking Books for Health TB, Malaria, HIV & AIDS, Depression, Breast Cancer, Diabetes, etc. Distributed through Home-Based Care Workers during capacity building workshops Communities empowered to look after and be responsible for their own health Address stigma, provide support Partners: Department of Health, EU, Global Fund, Malaria No More

12 Speaking Books for Children Suicide Shouldn t be a Secret My Body My Choice There was a 58% knowledge gain (pre and post survey) In the absence of trainers, the Speaking Book is free standing and effective (standard deviation within 5%) 82.1% of learners found the book helpful and easy to understand Partnered with: Department of Education and Department of Health

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14 Speaking Books for Empowerment: Caring for your Child-Headed Household A Grant is your Right Caring for you the Caregiver Partners with: Department of Social Development; Department of Health; the EU, the Global Fund; US Embassy

15 Other South African Languages IsiZulu Sepedi

16 Sesotho IsiXhosa

17 Replicability in Other Countries: Swaziland (English) Kenya (Swahili) Safe Disclosure to Children with HIV and AIDS

18 Mozambique, Angola The Americas: (Portuguese) Argentina, Mexico, The USA (English and Spanish) Safe Disclosure to Children with HIV and AIDS Rotavirus Vaccine

19 China USA (Mandarin) Rotavirus Vaccine Children s Diabetes

20 Evaluation of Impact & Effectiveness: Local reach & Access: clinics, hairdressers, taxi ranks, shebeens, women s clubs, weddings, bus stations, churches, tribal councils, playgrounds, mines, football games, stokvels Each Book is shown to a minimum of 27 people

21 Knowledge Gain: 98.4% of caregivers reported the Book was easy to understand 93.3% said they learnt new facts about Depression and AIDS through the Book 70% pf PLWHA said the Books helped them understand their illness 60% loved the celebrity sound

22 Endorsements They are wonderful tools to reduce the stigma of mental illness and promote awareness of mental health, and I am pleased to have them (Former US First Lady Rosalynn Carter) I keep thinking about these simple talking books that can be adapted to any subject or language for any low literacy population. What a terrific way to get important information to them (Barbara Kazden, Co-Director ASHOKA) When finances are limited and literacy poor, the Speaking Book provides an inexpensive way to disseminate valuable information at a low cost (John Hopkins Media/Materials Clearinghouse)

23 Discussion CONTACT DETAILS Elizabeth Matare Thank You