Adamawa State has crafted a draft strategy aimed at influencing the thoughts and actions of its citizens through social behavior change.

The formulation of this strategy was the outcome of brainstorming sessions held by experts over a span of four days in the state capital, Yola.

These experts, drawn from the civil society, media, and health sectors, engaged in discussions regarding prevalent myths, inhibitions, and misconceptions that impact various social behaviors. Their discussions encompassed the ways in which these behaviors can influence the acceptance of health services.

Addressing the existing policy gaps in the administration of desirable social behavior change (SBC), the newly developed strategy seeks to fill the void caused by the absence of a functional document that would ensure optimal service delivery and adherence.

The workshop, which spanned four days and was organized by The Challenge Initiative (TCI), led to the formation of a seven-member Technical Working Group (TWG). This group is entrusted with coordinating the effective implementation of the newly conceived draft for social behavior change.

The drafted strategy tackles a range of themes including family planning, nutrition, immunization, HIV/AIDS, health promotion, adolescence, and the sexual reproductive health of young individuals. The workshop’s organizers highlighted its successful achievement of goals such as identifying gaps in SBC programming within the state, crafting a strategy document for SBC intervention, and proposing ways to leverage the document for effectively transforming people’s behaviors.

Stakeholders emerged from the discussions with a shared commitment to empowering the people of Adamawa to embrace positive behaviors that will enhance their health and overall well-being. Dr. Olukoya Omotosho, a specialist in social behavior change communication from TCI, commented on the development and urged members of the TWG to ensure the comprehensive implementation of the drafted strategy.

He said, “We have had four days of SBC strategy development workshops and came up with a draft strategy. I expect that the leadership will drive all the SBC interventions in the state: be it HIV, malaria, family planning, immunization, nutrition and all the health issues with regards to SBC. In the next few months we should be able to see positive changes.” 

Additionally, addressing the gathering, Rashida Tahir, the Director of Community Health Services at the Adamawa State Primary HealthCare Development Agency (ADSPHCDA), urged the members of the technical working group to guarantee the effectiveness of the recently proposed strategy for social behavioural change.