Covid-19 Africa Rapid Grant Fund: Science communication project abstracts

The following outlines the project abstracts funded under the Science Journalism Strand of the COVID-19 Africa Rapid Grant Fund. They were designed to support science journalists, communicators, researchers and media professionals in improving the public understanding of COVID-19.

The research abstracts for science communication projects

Abstracts for projects in Ghana

To begin with, multiple projects were focused out of Ghana, these include:

• AAU TV: The aim of this project is to create TV, radio and podcast content on public health in Africa, focusing on the impact of COVID-19. Moreover, it would encourage collaboration between scientists, journalists, policymakers and the public.
• George Appiah: This project outlines the plans to develop reporting guidelines focusing on indigenous knowledge, stigma and social impacts of the pandemic. In doing so, it addresses how COVID-19 coverage in Ghana overlooks local knowledge and stigma.
• Dr Thomas Tagoe: This project focuses on improving science communication by training Ghanian journalists. It would also involve creating an online network and platform for scientists and journalists to collaborate.

Kenyan projects

In Kenya, the project abstracts are aimed at improving communication within Kenya and other African countries. For instance:

• ANTICOV: This project uses radio and expert interviews to explain the science behind clinical trials happening in 13 countries. The trials focus on treatment for COVID-19.
• Dr Ongadi: With the aim to fight ignorance, this project involves building platforms for science journalists to increase public awareness of COVID-19. It also utilises online resources and mainstream media.
• Mawazo Institute: Focusing on promoting women’s voices in the COVID-19 response, this project trains young female researchers in public communication.
• MESHA: By training journalists and scientists to collaborate this project aims to improve trust in information. It will also help create community-friendly COVID-19 content in local languages.

Projects in Malawi

The project abstracts for scientists in Malawi focus on:

• Rachel Kalera-Mhango: Training journalists and building collaboration between health experts and media, this project uses community radio to reach rural areas with trustworthy information on COVID-19.
• Umunthu Foundation: This project empowers journalists to provide fact-based, easy to understand COVID-19 information. It will use radio, science cafes, a toll-free telephone line and an online dashboard to achieve this.
• University of Malawi: One project would evaluate if the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 materials are readable and actionable. Another project would build health journalists’ skills through research-based training and communication guidelines.

Nigerian projects

In Nigeria, the projects focus on addressing misinformation and amplifying marginalised voices through creative communication strategies:

• Development Communications Network: This project trains journalists and uses digital platforms such as podcasts, webinars and storytelling to share accurate, fact-based information on COVID-19. It aims to counter misinformation and promote public awareness.
• University of Ibadan: Focused on rural outreach, this project uses drama-based media and storytelling techniques to improve public understanding of COVID-19. Its strategy effectively combats misinformation using locally relevant narratives.
• University of Lagos: This project develops a digital platform to document and share the COVID-19 experiences of residents in urban slums. It aims to highlight the needs of vulnerable populations and ensure their voices are included in public health responses.

Rwandan project

The Rwandan project prioritizes accessible communication:

• HealthEdu: This initiative provides expert-verified, accessible information on COVID-19. This will be through frequently updated FAQs, expert interviews on radio and TV, and the creation of a collaboration platform between journalists and scientists.

Abstracts from projects in South Africa

Many project abstracts were submitted in South Africa, these include:

• Eh!woza and Bhekisisa: This project creates documentaries and infographics that explore the social impact of COVID-19. It includes training young media producers in health journalism.
• Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC): This initiative shares results from national studies on social behaviour related to COVID-19, translating findings into public messages, webinars, and policy briefs.
• North-West University: The project compares communication strategies around COVID-19 in South Africa and Ghana, with the aim to identify effective methods.
• University of Cape Town: Investigating how COVID-19 affects mining communities, this project informs the public about these intersections through research-based communication.
• University of Johannesburg: This project studies how fear-based messaging influences public behaviour and will result in a communication training manual and a policy brief.
• University of Pretoria: Aiming to build a regional science communication network, this project supports early-career scientists from diverse backgrounds, with an emphasis on inclusion, gender, and language diversity.
• University of the Witwatersrand: This initiative evaluates the effects of South Africa’s COVID-19 response on vulnerable groups and includes plans for training sessions, seminars, and publications to share the findings.

Project in Tanzania

The Tanzanian project centres on countering misinformation:

• Medical Association of Tanzania: This project uses digital media in Swahili to deliver accurate public health information. It also builds the capacity of journalists to effectively communicate COVID-19 messages.

Ugandan projects

Ugandan initiatives focus on myth-busting and community outreach:

• Makerere University: This project uses influencers, graphic materials, and women leaders to address COVID-19 myths in marginalized communities. It works with health facilities to distribute information.
• Joint Clinical Research Centre: Creating animations and short videos, this project uses local media to share messages on COVID-19 and related issues like maternal health, HIV, and vaccination.

Project abstracts in Zambia

Zambian projects focus on:

• DSaT (Data Science and Technology): This project builds partnerships between scientists, media, and stakeholders to promote fact-based COVID-19 communication. It involves training journalists and uses a variety of media platforms.
• Mulungushi University: The project reviews Zambia’s COVID-19 communication strategies, identifying what worked, what didn’t, and how the public responded.

Projects in Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, the project investigates local responses and beliefs around COVID-19:

• Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University (ZEGU): This project explores how rural communities understood and responded to COVID-19, focusing on beliefs, behaviours, and the role of socio-economic factors. Findings will be disseminated through videos, stories, and printed materials.

Summary

Despite differences in approach, all projects share a common goal: to make science and public health information accessible and trustworthy. The projects also strengthen the relationship between journalists, researchers, and communities, ensuring that health communication becomes a two-way dialogue rather than top-down messaging.