A PMI-funded communications project has supported the government to produce a radio public service announcement (PSA), as well as malaria and ITN fact sheets and posters.

In Zambia, community radio stations play a crucial role in informing communities about ITN distribution and proper use. Source: Michelle Hunsberger/Communications Support for Health Project (CSHP)

“Almost 95 percent of information comes from us,” says Radio Mano Senior Programs Officer and host Paul Chileshe. Community radio stations, like Radio Mano in Kasama, Northern Province, have played an important role in disseminating information about the Zambian Government’s national ITN mass distribution campaign and creating demand for ITNs.

A PMI-funded communications project has supported the government to produce a radio public service announcement (PSA), as well as malaria and ITN fact sheets and posters. Radio Mano aired the PSA for one month following the launch of the campaign, and the broadcast helped create massive demand for ITNs among communities. Upon hearing the PSA, people who had not initially received ITNs clamored to find out when additional nets would be distributed. For those who already had nets, the PSA served as a reminder to sleep under them every night. Furthermore, a campaign fact sheet enhanced the radio hosts’ knowledge of malaria and ITNs. “[The fact sheet] was good because we had the information at our fingertips. Any questions that [the listeners] were asking us, we were able to give the feedback.”