Background

Integrated control programs, emphasizing preventive chemotherapy along with health education, can reduce the incidence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis and schistosomiasis. The aim of this study was to develop an educational animated cartoon to improve school children’s awareness regarding soil-transmitted helminthiasis, diarrheal diseases, and related hygiene practices in Côte d’Ivoire. The key messages included in the cartoon were identified through prior formative research to specifically address local knowledge gaps.

Methodology

In a first step, preliminary research was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and beliefs of school-aged children regarding parasitic worm infections and hygiene, to identify key health messages to be included in an animated cartoon. Second, an animated cartoon was produced, which included the drafting of the script and story board, and the production of the cartoon’s initial version. Finally, the animated cartoon was pilot tested in eight selected schools and further fine-tuned.

Principal findings

According to the questionnaire results, children believed that the consumption of sweet food, eating without washing their hands, sitting on the floor, and eating spoiled food were the main causes of parasitic worm infections. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, lack of appetite, failure to grow, and general fatigue were mentioned as symptoms of parasitic worm infections. Most of the children knew that they should go to the hospital for treatment if they experienced symptoms of parasitic worm diseases. The animated cartoon titled “Koko et les lunettes magiques” was produced by Afrika Toon, in collaboration with a scientific team composed of epidemiologists, civil engineers, and social scientists, and the local school children and teachers. Pilot testing of the animated cartoon revealed that, in the short term, children grasped and kept key messages. Most of the children who were shown the cartoon reported to like it.

Conclusion/Significances

Acceptance of the animated cartoon was high among children and teachers alike. The messaging was tailored to improve knowledge and practices for prevention of helminthiases and diarrheal diseases through prior identification of knowledge gaps. Integration of such education tools into the school curriculum, along with deworming campaigns, might improve sustainability of control and elimination efforts against helminthiases and diarrheal diseases.

中文翻译：

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“ Koko et les lunettes magiques”：一种教育娱乐工具，用于预防科特迪瓦的寄生虫和腹泻病

背景

综合控制计划强调预防性化学疗法以及健康教育，可以减少土壤传播的蠕虫病和血吸虫病的发生。这项研究的目的是开发教育动画动画片，以提高小学生对科特迪瓦土壤传播的蠕虫病，腹泻病和相关卫生习惯的认识。通过先前的形成性研究来确定动画片中包含的关键信息，以专门解决本地知识的空白。

方法

第一步，进行了初步研究，以评估学龄儿童关于寄生虫感染和卫生的知识，态度，做法和信念，以识别要包括在动画动画片中的关键健康信息。其次，制作了动画动画片，其中包括脚本和故事板的草稿以及动画片初始版本的制作。最后，动画动画片在八所选定的学校进行了试点测试，并进行了进一步的微调。

主要发现

根据调查表的结果，儿童认为食用甜食，不洗手就餐，坐在地板上以及吃变质的食物是引起寄生虫感染的主要原因。腹痛，腹泻，食欲不振，无法生长和全身疲劳被认为是寄生虫感染的症状。大多数孩子都知道，如果出现寄生虫病症状，应该去医院就诊。动画动画片名为“ Koko et les lunettes magiques由Afrika Toon与由流行病学家，土木工程师和社会科学家以及当地学童和老师组成的科学团队合作制作。对动画片的试点测试表明，在短期内，孩子们掌握并保留了关键信息。看到动画片的大多数孩子都表示喜欢它。

结论/意义

在儿童和老师中，动画动画片的接受程度很高。通过预先识别知识差距，量身定制消息传递，以提高预防蠕虫病和腹泻病的知识和实践。将这些教育工具与驱虫运动结合到学校课程中，可能会提高控制可持续性和消除针对蠕虫病和腹泻病的努力。