COMMIT supports the Tanzania Ministry of Health and National Malaria Control Program's Communication Strategy objectives of (1) influencing positive behavior change among target audiences through a comprehensive approach, (2) improving the flow of information to key target audiences, and (3) advocacy to raise the profile of malaria. The program includes promotion of insecticide-treated nets, use of artemisinin based combination therapies for malaria treatment, intermittent preventive treatment of malaria for pregnant women and indoor residual spraying. Under this program, Jhpiego is working with health care providers at different levels of the health system to improve their interpersonal communication skills to counsel clients on malaria prevention and prompt case management.
Since 2008, COMMIT has directly reached more than 3 million people through a variety of community mobilization and outreach activities. This includes discussions and group meetings with Community Change Agents, Mobile Video Unit shows and Road Shows. All activities are focused on the main malaria messages of sleeping under ITNs, malaria in Pregnancy and under-five case management.
In 2010, Tanzania launched the Malaria Haikubaliki Campaign in coordination with implementing partners CCP, PSI, Malaria No More and Voices Tanzania. The campaign launch concert featured the President of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete, several national music stars, and highlighted the work of the Community Change Agents. COMMIT’s Malaria Haikubaliki radio campaign in 2010 featured 16 serial PSAs and 16 “2 Minutes of Wisdom” spots that use well respected national figures to share their stories about malaria and offer sage advice.
COMMIT's Activities include:
- A variety of community mobilization and outreach activities that includes discussions and group meeting with Community Change Agents, Mobile Video Unit shows and Road Shows. All activities are focused on the main malaria messages of sleeping under ITNs, malaria in Pregnancy and under-five case management.
- Training of community change agents (CCAs) that organize and conduct interpersonal communication and facilitate educational events with community members, focusing on the importance of using ITNs, proper treatment-seeking behavior, prevention of malaria during pregnancy, and preparing communities to accept indoor residual spraying (IRS).
- Production of the feature film Chumo, a love story set on the Swahili Coast that educates viewers on the dangers of malaria in pregnancy and how to prevent it. The film has won several awards at film festivals worldwide, and is being distributed throughout Tanzania via COMMIT’s network of mobile video units and through other national distribution channels.
- The Pata Pata children’s radio program encourages children 8-12 to take action within their own homes to ensure their whole family is protected from malaria. Using a fun and engaging Saturday morning radio program format, children follow the adventures of Kinara, her nemesis Annie Anopheles, and other characters as they learn about malaria prevention, care and repair of LLINs, and the importance of going quickly to the hospital for fever.
- Journalist Against Malaria Network established with a core group of print, TV, and radio journalists working together to ensure malaria is on the national and local agenda. The network works to disseminate correct information on malaria prevention, as well as to act as a watchdog on the implementation of malaria programs in Tanzania.
- The "Malaria Haikubaliki" (Malaria is Unacceptable) Campaign launched in coordination with implementing partners. The radio campaign contains 16 serial PSAs and 16 2 Minutes of Wisdom spots that use well respected and known personalities to share their stories about malaria and offer sage advice.
