Co-Creation and Prototyping of An Intervention Focusing On Health Literacy In Management of Malaria At Community-Level In Ghana

Abstract Introduction: Collaborating with end-users to develop interventions tailored to fit unique circumstances is proposed as a way to improve relevance and effectiveness of an intervention. This study used a local needs driven approach to develop a health literacy intervention for caregivers in Ghana concerning management of malaria in children under five years. Method: A three-phase framework including: 1) needs assessment based on data from questionnaires, focus groups, individual interviews and observations, 2) Co-creation of a borad game and brochures for health education at Child Welfare Clinics to address needs in health literacy concerning malaria and 3)Development of a prototype of the game, brochures as well as determining user feasibility. Findings: The needs assessment resulted in a useful intervention to bridge the gaps in health literacy among caregivers. Co-creation of the materials and prototyping yielded a varying sense of ownership among stakeholders. End-users’ engagement and participation in developing the intervention resulted in a high interest and adherence to interventions. However, high attrition rates of health workers and caregivers’ inconsistent use of the Child Welfare Clinics challenged sustainability of this intervention.Conclusion: The interactive nature of this approach to health delivery interventions resulted in a better caregiver-health provider relationship and a sense of recognition of a more participatory approach to health delivery. A stronger buy-in at the top-level of health management and scaling it out into communities would improve sustainability and reach a larger audience.