Health Education for Afar Lives (HEAL), funded by SIM Ethiopia and PADD
Picture-based lessons on pregnancy, birth and child health led more Afar mothers to give birth at health centres and to vaccinate their children.
The HEAL programme set out to improve the health of mothers and children using proven teaching methods that encourage lasting changes in behaviour.
We used a mother and child health manual written for Afar culture, with pictures on every page. The project reached communities in Dulessa and Argoba districts, along with health workers, schoolteachers and school clubs on sexual and reproductive health. Each of these groups received its own training on mother and child health, covering care during pregnancy, care after birth and giving birth at a health facility.
Because the lessons used pictures, the community health promoters picked them up quickly and could pass them on easily. Each promoter led a group in monthly community conversation sessions. We also organised health campaigns using drama in kebeles across both districts.
What changed
Pregnant women in the community conversation groups began going to their nearest health centre for check-ups during pregnancy and giving birth there. Breastfeeding mothers had their children vaccinated.
At review meetings, government officials from both districts told us the health lessons had brought real changes in behaviour, both among group members and in the wider community. Pregnant and breastfeeding women now visit the district health centres regularly, and it is becoming normal. Since the project, Afar communities have started asking the district health office to vaccinate their children. In the past they refused vaccines, fearing they would harm their children’s future.