Community Groups Co-Design Evidence-Based Docudramas to Communicate About Child Spacing in Bauchi State, Nigeria: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

Abstract

In Bauchi State, northern Nigeria, communities recognise short birth interval ( kunika in the Hausa language) as harmful, but family planning is a sensitive topic. This paper describes the development of a culturally safe way to communicate about kunika in a conservative Muslim setting. The objective was to co-design culturally safe communication material, based on local knowledge about short birth interval, to share with women and men in households. Six community co-design groups of women and six of men (total 96 participants) reviewed summaries of their previously created maps of perceived local causes of kunika, categorised as frequent sex, family dynamics and non-use of contraception. They advised how these causes could be discussed effectively and acceptably with women and their husbands in households and suggested storylines for three short video docudramas about the prevention of kunika. The research team created the docudramas with a local producer and fieldworkers piloted their use in households. The design groups advised that communication materials should focus on child spacing rather than on limitation of family size. Even sensitive issues could be covered. People would not change their sexual behaviour but could be advised to use contraceptives to prevent kunika. The groups approved the final videos and six focus groups of visited women and men reported they were acceptable and helpful. Community co-design of communication about kunika was feasible and led to videos about a sensitive topic that were acceptable to ordinary men and women in communities in Bauchi.