The Young Multipliers Project aimed to bring a group of adolescents closer to the world of health research and non-communicable chronic diseases. To achieve this, they were trained in using communication tools, using their own codes, to disseminate messages that researchers and health professionals can only sometimes deliver clearly to adolescents.

Aim:

To develop and strengthen the skills of young students from public schools in Lima to build and disseminate prevention messages in non-communicable chronic diseases among their peers through innovative communication.

Study design:

The project was carried out throughout the year 2011. In the first stage, three public schools in Lima Norte (Independencia), three in Lima Sur (Villa El Salvador), and three in Lima Este (Ate-Vitarte) were chosen. A total of 45 students from 4th and 5th grade, between males and females, five from each of the nine schools, were invited.

The students were divided into teams. During 16 sessions, facilitated once a week by health and communication professionals, they learned about non-communicable chronic diseases, health research, and campaign communication design.

All teams chose to work on campaigns aimed at the same theme: promoting healthy eating and reducing the consumption of high-fat or high-sugar foods, such as soft drinks. Each team chose a communication format for disseminating their messages, including videos, radio spots or graphic designs

Seven teams completed the process, implementing campaigns in their respective schools. The young multipliers, accompanied by a group of communicators, were the protagonists of their campaigns’ design, production, and implementation.

Result:

• Thirty of the 45 students completed the campaign design and implementation.
• The seven campaigns reached about 1200 students and included videos, posters, radio programs, video forums, healthy food fairs and performances in classrooms and courtyards.
• The campaigns focused on improving schoolchildren’s eating habits, with a particular emphasis on the effects of soft drinks and fast food, as well as their healthy alternatives.
• The Project brought young multipliers closer to the health research process, enhanced their communication skills, and increased their knowledge and awareness of chronic diseases.
• The participants expressed great interest in the communication and health sciences. Additionally, they used the information received daily, generating some initial changes in the intervened schools.
• The young multipliers express, in an independent evaluation, a high level of satisfaction with the experience.

Contact:

Francisco Diez Canseco, MPH
‪fdiezcanseco@upch.pe‬