By Victoria Marijani, Tanzania
The recent Jitofautishe (Differentiate Yourself) family planning campaign in Kigoma, Tanzania featured a special focus on young people, including production of a comic book tied to the 24-episode Jitofautishe radio drama. The comic drew a remarkable 57 percent recall rate in the post-campaign survey, suggesting that the 3,000 copies distributed were read and re-read multiple times.
Jitofautishe, part of Vital Strategies’ ongoing Thamini Uhai (Value Life) initiative in Tanzania, also featured radio spots, posters, social media and community communication. Since half of women in Tanzania have their first child by age 19, targeting the 15-to-24 age group is essential to increasing contraceptive use and improving birth spacing. One in three married Tanzanian women use modern methods of contraception; in Kigoma, where the campaign was focused, the figure is only 18 percent (TDHS 2015-16).
The comic book tells an intertwined story of young people making relationship choices that may support or derail their dreams and ambitions. The 16-page comic, a shortened version of the more involved 24-episode radio drama, also conveys, through the story, information on contraceptive methods and where young people can access services.
The 3,000 copies were distributed during youth sessions conducted by community health workers throughout Kigoma at locations such as secondary schools, motorbike stations and garages.