Ghana Black Stars Malaria video

Part 1 for reference only: Are there other prevention and control strategies for malaria which are missing in this video that you would recommend? 

List two. Would you recommend another spokesperson than the Ghana Black Stars? Explain why you would continue to recommend the Ghana Black Stars or another spokesperson.

Part 2 instructions for response:What are your thoughts about the missing strategies your classmate identifies or the recommendations they make?

Add another strategy or expand on one strategy they have recommended.

Do you agree with their recommendation to replace or continue with the Ghana Black Stars as spokesperson? Why or why not.

ClassmateRuhi'sresponse

This week's video, the Malaria cheer song by the Ghana Black Stars represents the judicious use of the popularity of sports stars to promote an important health message.

1 In this case, the members of Ghana's national football team helped spread information on the prevention and appropriate treatment of malaria.

The choice of using the team to spread this message was a good one, since they are easily recognizable; the general populace including the youth would be more receptive to this information because the source is a team that are presumably role models.

Another choice for spokeperson could be former Secretary General of the United Nations and native of Ghana, Kofi Annan. The actual message promoted in the video includes information about appropriate treatment for malaria and pesticide-treated mosquito nets, 2 strategies that have proven to be effective in malaria control in endemic areas.

The video could also have included information about environmental control, including the elimination of breeding grounds such as stagnant water and vegetation near houses.

2. The use of screens in windows, ventilators etc could also have been promoted in this video. The World Health Organization reports that the use of biological and environmental modification methods along with or in place of insecticides results in low rates of disease transmission,

3. which underscores the importance of these preventive measures.

Highlighting these in addition to adequate treatment and prevention in the form of mosquito nets would have resulted in a complete message which would have been preferable, given the high rates of morbidity and mortality related to malaria in Ghana.