A mass radio campaign saves thousands of children in Africa

LONDON (Reuters) – A mbad radio campaign in Burkina Faso has resulted in a significant increase in the number of sick child cases and could prove to be one of the most cost-effective ways to save young lives in poor countries.

The results of a trial involving a radio campaign in rural areas that encouraged the search for three of the biggest killers of children under five – malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea – helped save about 3000 lives.

"This study shows that using the media to drive people to health centers is actually more profitable than almost anything on earth to save children's lives," Roy said. Head, who co-directed the study.

"And that makes sense – it reaches millions of people at a time – but it's the first time that it's shown in a scientific essay."

The radio campaign, according to the researchers, uses a "saturation" method of intensive radio transmissions over a long period to promote behavioral change in a population, was conducted in Burkina Faso between 2012 and 2015.

was broadcast on seven radio stations within a radius of about 50 kilometers (30 miles), while seven other radio stations did not broadcast the campaign and served as witnesses for comparison.

Routine data from health facilities were then badyzed for changes in treatment seeking, with data from more than 1.1 million visits and deliveries badessed.

The findings – published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Global Health Tuesday – showed a significant increase in the adoption of rescue behaviors for specific targeted diseases.

The diagnostic rates of malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea increased significantly over the three years of the study, including a 107% increase in diarrhea diagnoses in the third year and an increase of 56 % of malaria diagnoses in the first year. change in detection rates for diseases not covered by the radio campaign, such as coughs and colds.

Using a mathematical modeling tool, the team estimated a mortality reduction of 9.7% in the first year, 5.7% in the second year and 5.5% in the third year, about 3,000 lives saved thanks to the campaign.

"Pneumonia, malaria and diarrhea are three of the biggest killers of children in sub-Saharan Africa," said Simon Cousens, professor at the School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine of London, who co-directed the work. "This research provides evidence that the media has an important role to play in persuading parents to seek life-saving treatment for children."