Qualitative Research into Malaria Prevention in the Gambia

In 2006, the Gambia's Centre for Innovation Against Malaria (CIAM) undertook a nationwide qualitative assessment of Bolongodala, a 26-episode radio drama series broadcast in Mandinka, the most widely spoken national language, in an effort to disseminate key messages on malaria control and prevention. This report, which intended to add value and understanding to a previous quantitative study conducted in 2004, looks at the evidence from focus group discussions with mothers and grandmothers, as primary caregivers for children, analysing responses and making some general observations. The report suggests that radio in general, and the drama Bolongodala in particular, is able to convey information and knowledge that encourage behaviour change. However, the evaluation also pointed out that economic poverty can prevent the most vulnerable from acting on the messages, and that language, gender, and work hours are factors influencing access to radio messages.

The survey found the following:

• Radio is a major source of information about health matters for Gambian mothers of young children.
• Mothers report some difficulties in listening to radio as often as they would like to for several reasons, such as not owning or controlling the radio in their home, expensive batteries, and multiple responsibilities.
• Evidence from this project suggests a strong link between receiving messages about malaria prevention and changes in behaviour.
• Many mothers hold the view that fate or God plays a role in health, but most also believe that there are many things that they have control of that will help matters, especially pursuing cleanliness in the home, regular visits to health centres, and the cleaning of the surrounding environment.
• There was considerable enthusiasm for the Bolongodala series. There was strong support for its continuance. Not many suggestions were made for any change other than to broadcast it in other languages and to have it on at alternative times of the day so that all could listen.
• Several listeners to Bolongodala remembered a surprising amount of detail about the various storylines and events in the series. Many remembered in detail some of the important health messages in the dramas.

The in-depth interview with grandmothers suggested the following:

• Radio was also an important source of health information for grandmothers.
• They had similar problems in listening to radio as their daughters.
• Like many of the mothers, grandmothers had picked up messages from the media, including radio and health centres, which are very important communication channels for information about the care of children and the improvement of their health.
• Grandmothers have a similar range of views about the causes of ill health as the mothers. They do not appear to have a stronger attachment to traditional approaches.
• Most of the grandmothers have a good knowledge of the effectiveness of bed net protection against mosquito bites and the danger of contracting malaria.
• Several grandmothers had also heard Bolongodala, although their memories did not appear to be as vivid as that of the mothers.
• Grandmothers play a major role in advising their daughters in the care of their children.

Radio was mentioned as the first source of information by most people. Radio is clearly seen as a major channel for health information. According to the report, evidence suggests that Mandinka speakers who had listened to the Bolongodala were the best informed. The least well-informed were those who were not Mandinka speakers and who had not listened to the series.

The report states that remarks made about Bolongodala suggest that it is remembered quite well by many and that its messages about malaria prevention were communicated successfully. Despite it not being on the air at the time of the evaluation, some of the drama and events of the series were well remembered. The report notes that many stories and themes about issues other than malaria were also recalled.