PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN JANUARY 2012

It is said that one’s health is one’s wealth and like all things precious, it needs to be guarded. There is a growing awareness, not just among the general public, but within the food industry of the importance of healthy lifestyles and good nutrition.
The incidence of malnutrition and diet related chronic diseases among children is persistently high and are increasing in the district and the nation at large.

Besides, according to the world malaria report 2011, there were 216 million cases of malaria and an estimated 655 000 deaths in 2010. Most deaths occur among children living in Africa where a child dies every minute of malaria and the disease accounts for approximately 22% of all childhood deaths

However, reports from the west Gonja district directorate of health indicates that In-patient malaria mortality dropped by 0.4% from 1.2% in 2010 to 0.8% in 2011.
Reducing the impact of malaria and the extent of malnutrition in the district and nation at large is key to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. These include not only combating the disease itself, but also goals related to women's and children's rights and health, access to education and the reduction of extreme poverty.
In response to this, a 7 Day Public Education Campaign on Food Nutritional Values and Malaria Prevention has been organized for Twenty (20) Selected Communities in the West Gonja District of the Northern Region.

The Programme was an initiative of the Information Services Department in Conjunction with NCCE, Ghana Health Service and the District Assembly with financial support from the West Gonja Area Development Programme under World Vision Ghana.

The move was part of efforts to deepen education on the menace of malaria and to emphasize on the importance and the need for people to adopt preventive measures against the disease.
Also, the programme aimed at providing nutrition messages to ensure that families adopt healthy lifestyles and improve their nutritional values.

The nutritional value campaign targeted ten (10) women groups especially nursing mothers in ten selected communities.
The programme started on 23rd January and ended on 27th January 2012.


Mrs. Mavis Kora the Nutrition Officer of the District Directorate of Health facilitated the talk in all the communities. She mentioned four basic issues which were important in one’s life, thus food, water, exercise and rest.

However, the major discussion centered on food nutritional value thus, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and fats and oil.

The education involved information to women about nutrition and helping individuals to develop attitudes, skills and confidence that they need to improve their nutrition and to reduce all types of nutritional disorders.

About 300 women and 30 men participated in the programme.
The communities included Kanato, Grupe, Kabampe, Larabanga, Yipala and Nabori. The others are Canteen, Murugu and Mognori.


Besides, Mr. Duut Kombian the district environmental officer led the talk on malaria prevention in all the communities.
The talk was centered on five topics,
1. What is malaria
2. The types of malaria parasites and its infections
3. The causes of malaria
4. Preventive methods
5. Recommended drugs for malaria treatment
Over 500 people participated in the programme.
The communities visited include Sori No. 1, 2 and 3Busunu, Mempaesem, Tailorpe and Bonyanto. The rest were Achubunyo, Soalepe and Jonoponto.
The programme started on 30th January and ended on 1st February 2012.
Concerns raised from some members who use Insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) indicated that they do not have access to chemicals for retreatment after washing.
Also, some complained of inadequate ITNs provided to them and their inability to buy the ITNs due to financial constraints.
Similarly, some members also expressed concern with regard to the nature of the ITNs. They explained that sleeping under the ITNs generates a lot of heat since much air cannot pass through it.
Response from some communities indicated that they have little knowledge about nutritional values of food.
It was also clear that most of the women did not have much knowledge about the nutritional value of some foodstuff which were common and known to them and hence, under utilize them.
Similarly, it was evidence that most people have heard about malaria, however they do not have much knowledge about its effects.
Also, they do not know that malaria is a deadly disease and hence attach little importance to its preventive measures.
However, most people were enlightened after the programme and expressed delight for the information shared with them. It is hope that this programme will enhance their health

It is recommended that more of such programmes be organized to benefit other communities. We must continue to be relentless in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors across the population.
The facilitation team was made up of Mrs. Atule Regina District Information Officer, Mr. Stanley Z. Mahama NCCE, Mr. Duut Kombian Environmental Health Unit, Ms Shallom Lumor Information Service (journalist) and Mr. Moro (driver).


BY REGINA ATULE