Communications Support for Health (CSH) Program Quarterly Report October to December 2013

The program aims to strengthen health communications in Zambia, with a focus on behavior change communication (BCC) and information, education, and communication (IEC) activities. The CSH program has made significant progress in the period under review, October to December 2013. One of the major accomplishments is the continued implementation of the STOP Malaria Campaign/1,000 Days Nutrition Campaign in eight target districts. The Champion Communities initiative, implemented through five subcontracted Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), relies heavily on community participation and has made significant progress in measuring progress towards targets. Another notable achievement is the conclusion of Season 2 of Love Games and Love Games Live, a popular television show that promotes behavior change and HIV/AIDS awareness. The show has been airing on ZNBC and MUVI TV, as well as on the Africa Magic cable television channel throughout Africa. Radio programming has also continued to air on 12 community radio stations, covering the most high-risk areas, chosen by the National Technical Working Group for Male Circumcision. The CSH program has also made progress in formative research, with the completion of formative research on maternal nutrition in North-Western province in November 2013. The research progressed well, and data transcription and analysis will be conducted starting in January 2014. The program has also identified Eastern Province to conduct the second round of the formative research in action activity. In addition, the 990 Talkline serviced a total of 11,984 calls during the reporting period, and 18 counselors under the 990 Talkline service received refresher training. The program has also continued to support the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health (MCDMCH) to produce and air their monthly 25-minute Your Health Matters: Let's Talk programs. The CSH program has also successfully integrated its behavior-centered programming approach to IEC/BCC into the University of Zambia's mainstream curriculum as a senate-recognized course called Strategic Communication for Health and Development. This development means CSH's proven approach is now accessible to more Zambians. For the next quarter, the program plans to monitor the implementation of the joint malaria/nutrition program through a joint field visit with government, Civil Society organization, and CSH. The program will also continue airing malaria PSAs and skits on community radio stations in 8 target districts, continue airing radio products on all 12 current community radio stations and increase the number of stations to 30, and continue community activities under Safe Love through CSOs.