Project coordination
The Leprosy Mission Nepal
Aim: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a mascot-led communication strategy with a blanket awareness program to improve knowledge and reduce leprosy-related stigma among school-going children in Nepal.
Full project title: Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Mascot-Led Communication Strategy for Leprosy Awareness Among School-Going Children in Nepal.
Project summary
Leprosy is a curable disease, but many individuals affected by leprosy are stigmatized in their communities because of fear and misunderstanding, leading to social exclusion. These negative associations and beliefs are passed from one generation to another and take hold during adolescence. This study aims to improve the understanding of leprosy and reduce stigma associated with leprosy by increasing the knowledge of school going children aged 10-18 years. Children can also be powerful messengers for change by sharing information with their parents, friends, and their community. However, very little is known about the best method to increase the knowledge of leprosy amongst children. Since different age groups learn differently, it is essential to find the best way to educate children to achieve the desired outcome of reducing stigma associated with leprosy.
Mascots have been used in different settings for spreading awareness about hand washing, climate change, and other health issues. However, they have not been utilized fully to tackle stigma in leprosy. This study will use two videos; one featuring an animated mascot, and one without. A total of 583 students from two schools will be enrolled in the study. Students from one school will be shown the video featuring the mascot, while students from the other school will receive the video without the mascot. The messages in both videos will be the same and will be co-created by two groups, one involving health professionals and individuals with lived experiences, and another involving community leaders, religious leaders, schoolteachers, and a representative of the student body. Data from the students will be collected through surveys before, after, and after two months of showing the videos. The study will determine the best medium to improve knowledge and reduce stigma by comparing the change in knowledge and stigma levels before and after watching the videos. Following the determination of the best strategy to increase knowledge and reduce stigma, the strategy will be integrated into existing projects of The Leprosy Mission Nepal and will also be shared with partners working in leprosy in Nepal.