Senegal

NetWorks began operations in Senegal in early 2010. NetWorks works closely with Senegal’s National Malaria Control Program (NMCP/PNLP) and partners to design, implement and evaluate the national universal coverage (UC) campaign through mass distributions of long-lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs). The goal of the UC campaign is to cover every sleeping space in Senegal with a LLIN, through a multi-phased program. To date, NetWorks has assisted in the distribution of over 3 million nets in Senegal as part of the universal coverage campaign. NetWorks remains to be involved in the monitoring and evaluation of earlier phases of the UC as well as planning ahead for eventual net replacements through a continual distribution system.

The NetWorks UC strategy combines mass distribution, behavior change communication, policy change and advocacy, and research in an effort to prevent malaria transmission. NetWorks promotes the use of nets through behavior change communication, efficient distribution of nets through mass and routine channels and uses research to improve policy both at the country and global level.

NetWorks Senegal collaborates with a broad range of partners including government and local leaders, Imams (Islamic leaders), schools, medical professionals, community volunteers and Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs). Together with the NMCP, all of these partners work towards a common vision: To achieve national and sustained universal coverage of LLINs, thereby contributing to the goal of malaria pre-elimination by 2015.

The Senegal behavior change campaign, known as the “Trois Toutes”, promotes that “mosquito nets be used by all the family, all year long, every night, because the mosquitoes are always there." (“Toute la famille, Toute l’annee, Toutes les nuits”). The national “Trois Toutes” campaign is tailored to each region and locality, by working with local groups, local resources, and using culturally appropriate practices.

The “Trois Toutes” message is present all over the country, displayed at health facilities and bolstered by community volunteers during home visits. Radio and television spots featuring the “Trois Toutes” have also been spread across the airwaves to create brand recognition and subject awareness.

NetWorks Senegal will continue to work with the NMCP staff and partners to complete the UC campaign in the remaining areas of the country, launch the routine distribution of LLINs through antenatal care (ANC) programs, and monitor the communication strategy by using evaluation research to informongoing campaigns and activities.

EE5 and NetWorks Senegal In November 2011, the Fifth Entertainment Education (EE5) Conference was held in Delhi, India. A grand event, the EE5 Conference brought together people from around the globe to document programs, share experiences, and stimulate further advancements in the field of Entertainment Education.

Participants came from a broad range of disciplines, such as program managers, film makers, artists, entertainers, social scientists, educators, researchers, public health specialists, social activists and youth.

Joan Schubert, from NetWorks Senegal, presented a poster at the EE5 Conference entitled, “Fighting malaria in Senegal starring the ‘3 Toutes’”. The “3 Toutes” is the name of the slogan developed by the Senegal National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) to serve as a rallying call to support a national Long Lasting Insecticidal Net (LLIN) mass distribution campaign, reaching urban and rural communities alike.

The slogan uses a play on words to build excitement about the campaign and encourage people living in malarious areas to obtain and consistently use LLINs. Loosely translated the slogan means, “Mosquito nets must be used by the whole family, all year long, and every night, because the mosquitoes are always there!”

The purpose of the campaign is to ensure that regardless of where people sleep at night – be it a fancy bed, mattress on the floor or a simple straw mat – they are uniformly protected from mosquito bites by a net because they use it consistently and correctly. Although developed by a national body, the “3 Toutes” campaign is flexible to local adaptations.

The poster presentation at the EE5 Conference conveyed how communities in Senegal are adapting the “3 Toutes” slogan and accompanying messages by infusing it with elements of entertainment education. These groups are promoting good net use and care behaviors across a creative range of complementary media including local theatre, music, parades, demonstrations, radio spots and programs, community events and contests, and announcements by community and religious leaders.

Funding for these activities comes from the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) in Senegal. Having the Senegal “3 Toutes” story on display at EE5, along with hundreds of other presentations and exhibits from around the world featuring how film, theatre, radio, music, storytelling, game and talk shows, youth groups, PC games, cell phones, graffiti, dance, and more are being used to promote new social norms and behavior change through entertainment is an important achievement. It indicates that Senegal’s strategy has been positioned alongside some of the best and brightest examples of entertainment education (EE) that exist today.

Currently a quantitative study is being completed that will provide information about the reach and influence of Senegal’s “3 Toutes” strategy to date. This information will be complemented by qualitative research and omnibus data so that the “3 Toutes” strategy can continue to be refined and updated based on evolving social norms and net use practices in Senegal. Vive les “3 Toutes”!