Empowering children in the fight against malaria through radio

In the PataPata Children's Radio program in Tanzania, Annie Anopheles flies around spreading bad information on malaria as nine-year old Kinara corrects the information and engages children in the fight against malaria. The 44-episode, 10-minute program aired during the Saturday morning children's radio hour on national and regional stations. PataPata engaged school aged children to be agents of change for their families and community in malaria prevention. The goal was to change attitudes and perceptions on malaria and to ultimately build a malaria prevention culture by targeting the younger generation.

A qualitative assessment used in-depth interviews and focus groups with children and IDIs with parents to understand how children reacted to the show and how messages from the show disseminated through homes and communities. The data indicated the children did initiate discussions around malaria prevention with their family, friends, and neighbors. They discussed preventive measures; sleeping under treated bednets, seeking treatment promptly at clinics as soon as they have malaria symptoms. The children admitted they themselves changed their behaviors such as sleeping consistently under bednets, or reminding their parents to put down the nets. Parents reported that they were encouraged by their children to sleep under nets, and to repair nets when needed. Data also showed that children who participated in PataPata listener groups, led by Community Change Agents, were more active in outreach than those that listened by themselves. Based on the findings the next program will be revised to ensure more interactivity between the show and audience.