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Uncovering barriers to bilharzia prevention communication in Ugu district, South Africa: Lessons learned through participatory communication

Lessons learned through participatory communication

Lauren Dyll-Myklebust
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Duduzile Zwane
University of Johannesburg
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Uncovering barriers to bilharzia prevention communication in Ugu district, South Africa: Lessons learned through participatory communication. (2022). Communicare: Journal for Communication Studies in Africa, 34(1), 65-81. https://doi.org/10.36615/jcsa.v34i1.1622
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  • Submited: October 15, 2022
  • Published: October 17, 2022

Abstract

Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS), commonly referred to as Female Bilharzia (FB), is a
prevalent yet socially obscure disease. Caused by a waterborne parasite, it affects millions
of people all over the world. Although it is a global health concern, FB is more pervasive in
Sub-Saharan Africa. Motivated by the rapid response to treatment as demonstrated by rural
Zimbabwean women, an organisation known as the FB Project conducted research exclusively
with this group. Based in KwaZulu-Natal’s Ugu District (Port Shepstone), the FB Project sought
to raise an awareness of, to treat and ultimately eradicate the FB threat. This study investigated
the most appropriate communication tools for achieving these goals. In 2012, in-depth semistructured
interviews were conducted with a sample of 20 female teenagers from both rural and
urban areas across the Ugu District. Their perceptions of this issue highlighted various sociocultural,
economic and logistical constraints to effective FB communication. This paper explores
these barriers and the implications they have for realising the project’s goals. The opinions that
are voiced by the participants underscore the value of adopting a participatory communication
approach to addressing a health problem. The researcher’s observations are also integrated into the
discussion. The responses gathered from the participants were considered as recommendations
that could support the design of a contextually-sensitive FB awareness campaign.

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How to Cite
Uncovering barriers to bilharzia prevention communication in Ugu district, South Africa: Lessons learned through participatory communication. (2022). Communicare: Journal for Communication Studies in Africa, 34(1), 65-81. https://doi.org/10.36615/jcsa.v34i1.1622

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