Nigerian Youths Use Afrobeat to Fight Disease

By Chioma Obinna

A unique research project in Nigeria is harnessing the power of young people and local knowledge to tackle some of the country’s biggest health challenges.

Led by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), the initiative is tapping into the infectious energy of Afrobeat to spread awareness about HIV testing, HPV vaccination, hepatitis B prevention, and hypertension with stroke.

The project leverages the success of a previous initiative, I-Test, which dramatically increased access to HIV self-testing kits.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the 21 days bootcamp for these youths, the Director of Research at NIMR, Professor Oliver Ezechi, explained that they realised that youths have the energy and innovation to tackle other health issues.

Recognising the potential of young Nigerians, the researchers designed a programme that specifically focused on their ideas and solutions.

Following a competitive selection process, 15 teams of young Nigerians were brought together for a 21-day bootcamp.

Divided into groups, they focused on specific health challenges: Sustaining HIV Self-Testing: This group explored strategies to ensure continued access to HIV testing kits beyond the initial programme.

Enhancing HPV Vaccination: This team addressed the hesitancy surrounding HPV vaccination, particularly among parents.

Combating Hepatitis B: Another group devised methods to increase awareness and uptake of the hepatitis B vaccine and Raising Awareness of Hypertension and Stroke: This group recognized the limited knowledge about these conditions, a team created music-based educational campaigns.

For the hypertension and stroke group, music was the chosen weapon.“Music is what everybody listens to in Nigeria. We brought young aspiring musicians together to design messages that can educate people,” said Ezechi.

Ezechi explained that that the aspiring musicians created Afrobeat songs packed with information about hypertension, stroke symptoms, and prevention strategies.

He said these catchy tunes will be produced into a free downloadable album, ensuring widespread accessibility.

Corroborating his views, another investigator on the project, a professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Joseph Tucker, emphasised the importance of youth involvement.

Tucker who is also work at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in London said it was a fantastic ideas and commitment of the young participants said: “There are vaccines for HPV and Hepatitis B but the problem with these vaccines is that people hesitate to take them up and HPV vaccine is a vaccine for girls age 9 to 14, and this is a highly effective vaccine, but we need to find new strategies to promote HPV vaccination. And so that’s what the HPV programme has done. Young teams of mothers, daughters have come together to develop innovative strategies to increase HPV vaccination.”

On research funding, he said research funding is limited, but with a great idea, there’s always ways to get it funded. “For the young people here, my message is the future is bright and continue all the great work that you’re doing. I think if you’re a young researcher interested in doing this, I would encourage you to talk to colleagues at NIMR, apply for grants, learn more about this specific program. There’s really a bunch of opportunities.”

Tucker echoes this sentiment, praising the “fantastic ideas” and “commitment” of the young participants.

Also speaking, a Public Health Researcher, Georgia State University, Atlanta, US, Professor Collins Airhiheneuwa highlighted the cultural significance of the project, stating, “The ideas these young people bring to the table reflect their cultural value It’s not an individual journey. We are calling on family.”

Airhiheneuwa who described the experience as incredible, said culture has a way of influencing what people do not only negative but positive.

He said even though young people draw from global experiences, they are still Nigerians, and the ideas they brought to the table reflect their cultural value.

“It also reflects the fact that they are youth that have Nigeria identity, but they also share certain quality and value with the global population. Bringing Nigeria ideas to the global forum as a way of letting the world know, first Nigerians know that there are ways that young people can be involved in, whether it’s HIV self-testing, different young people using music to teach about stroke and hypertension awareness, HPV vaccine being available, making sure that parents are encouraging and supportive of their daughters to be vaccinated. And those are all new areas for us in Nigeria to address, not just the vaccine, but actually starting now with seeking the voice of young people to be involved in the solution that we generate.”

Speaking, a Professor of Medicine from Washington DC, Professor Juliet Ezekwe, who noted the devastating impact of preventable diseases with a loss of a sister to cervical cancer said the solutions to some of the health challenges lie within the communities themselves. Communities have the first-hand experience, the knowledge, and the resilience to combat health challenges. Experts and doctors can provide guidance, but true progress hinges on empowering communities.

Ezekwe said in the last one year, they have created a platform for young Nigerians to share their ideas and solutions for tackling critical health issues like cervical cancer, hypertension and stroke.

She said the programme has been a resounding success, adding that, community members have come forward with a wealth of practical solutions, demonstrating that the power to heal lies within their grasp.

The study approach has dismantled the traditional notion that knowledge resides solely with medical professionals. Instead, it acknowledges the invaluable wisdom and experience of community members.

SOURCE: Vanguard