Feedback on Pre-testing of IRS IEC Materials

Pauline WamulumeNational Malaria Control Centre

Pre-testing is a process to determine an audience’s• reaction to messages or behavior change

information before materials are produced in final form.

• understanding of messages or behavior change information before materials are produced in final form.

Main objective

Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)◦ Community◦ Spray Operators

Individual In-depth Interviews (IIIs)◦ DHMT staff◦ Radio Presenters

Methodology

Flier (community) Poster (community) Brochure (Spray Operators) Radio Discussion Guide (DHMT &

Presenters) Drama Script (Drama Groups & DHMT)

Materials Pre-tested

Luapula (Mansa & Samfya) Central (Mkushi & Chibombo) Lusaka (Kafue & Luangwa) Southern (Choma & Namwala)

Districts

The districts were a combination (mix) of the following:-

Rural/Urban New/old IRS district

Criteria

Posters Message and meaning clear Words easy to read, understand, directed at

audience and has call to action Audience suggested the following changes

◦ S.O. to be in full PPE, helmet should be yellow◦ Overall suit must be labeled◦ S. O. must have ID◦ A mosquito to be included on the poster if possible◦ Show household items piled and covered in room being

sprayed◦ Nozzle too close to the spraying surface◦ Must show S.O. carrying pump

Main Findings (1)

“Malaria” on the title to be in bold and in a different color

Include both plastered and unplastered wall to cater for both rural and urban type of houses

Indicate that even if house has been sprayed, ITNs must be used

Preferred red poster to green◦ Easy to read from a distance◦ Red for danger, implying malaria is dangerous◦ Attracts attention

Main Findings (2)

Message generally clear and will help target audience practice the desired behaviour◦ Allow houses to be sprayed◦ Prepare houses

Must be in both English and local languages Preferred colour was white followed by

yellow

Flier (1)

Suggested changes or inclusions Period of time after which occupants paint or

smear walls after spraying. Indicate that IRS is not safe for asthmatic

patients Include side effects of chemicals Indicate that IRS is free Include dosage of chemicals to deter

underdosing by Spray Operators What to do with houses constructed after

spraying

Flier (2)

Emphasis that all rooms must be sprayed, including those outside the main house

More information on disposal of dead pets e.g. chickens

After spraying (instructions)◦ Sweep the floor◦ Dead cockroaches should be handed over to the S.O. the

following day◦ Household owners must be advised to take not of IDs◦ Should not accept requests to spray gardens, bedbugs,

pit latrines etc◦ S. O. should not accept gifts such as chickens◦ S. O. should never forget chemicals or leave carelessly

Flier (3)

Interesting information◦ That spraying will be done yearly◦ IRS also kills other pests◦ An assurance that malaria will be reduced◦ The need to encourage and educate neighbors

to have their houses sprayed as well.◦ What to do before and after spraying of houses

Flier (4)

Material is easy to understand and no difficult or confusing words.◦ Replace eaves

Information will reinforce what is taught during training

Brochure (1)

Suggestions/changes◦ Full picture◦ Trigger held wrongly◦ Specify duration ( replace long-term)◦ Include instructions on what to do with leftover

chemicals◦ Include all empty sachets to be handed to the

supervisor

Brochure (2)

Appreciated the guide Should be used for television and other

community discussions Size of brochure is ok Preferred colours were brown and blue

Radio Discussion Guide

Suggestions Title is obstructing the microphone/move

mic Radio programme to be in different

colour Consider local languages Topics – to include a discussion on

treatment Discussants to include EHTs & HPOs Indicate time of broadcast e.g primetime

Radio Discussion Guide (2)

QUANTITIES FOR IEC MATERIALS

PROVINCE FLIERS BROCHURES POSTERS

Copperbelt 52,500 5,800 20,500

Southern 22,000 6,000 11,000

Luapula 34,200 19,600 12,800

Northern 70,000 10,000 10,000

North-Western 17,000 10,000 4,000

Western 30,000 6,000 10,000

Lusaka 100,000 8,000 20,000

Eastern 50,000 6,000 10,000

Central 30,000 4,000 6,000

Sub Total 405,700 75,400 104,300

NMCC, ZISSP and other partners 94,300 24,600 15,700

GRANDT TOTAL 500,000 100,000 120,000