Interest in using locally produced video for public health education is growing, particularly in underserved communities. Many organizations now adopt participatory video training to equip frontline workers with tools and skills to address critical health issues in culturally relevant ways. One such initiative is illuminAid’s collaboration with CRS in northern Togo, using community-created videos to improve hygiene practices among schoolchildren and educators.
The four-day Video Education Workshop brought together local partners and regional education officials to create and disseminate short videos on health and education. Participants received video production equipment, editing tools, and solar-powered video kits to ensure sustainability in rural areas. Two key videos were produced: one on classroom management and another on proper handwashing techniques in schools.
This initiative is especially relevant given global gaps in hygiene infrastructure. UNICEF reports that 818 million children lack basic hand washing services in schools, with 462 million having no hygiene services at all. These deficits impact both health and learning outcomes. Integrating hand hygiene messaging into localized educational videos offers a promising approach to behavior change.
The workshop assessed whether community members and educators could adopt video technology as a sustainable health communication tool. Participants scripted, acted, filmed, and edited the handwashing video to ensure cultural resonance. The videos were designed for classrooms and community screenings, with solar kits enabling use in areas without reliable electricity. Educators noted that the handwashing video effectively captured attention and encouraged discussion.
Though formal evaluations of behavior change were not conducted, anecdotal responses indicated that using local actors, locations, and dialects enhanced credibility. Studies on video-based health communication suggest that messages are more effective when delivered by familiar figures.
Some facilitators reported challenges in managing large audiences during screenings, as student and parent questions occasionally disrupted discussions. However, most saw these interactions as opportunities to reinforce key messages.
This project explored the integration of video tools into daily health and education practices, aiming not just to share hygiene information but to build local capacity for ongoing, self-directed health communication. By centering content creation within the community, illuminAid’s model offers a scalable, culturally grounded intervention for areas with limited traditional outreach.
Future research should examine the long-term impact of video on behavior adoption, particularly among children and educators. Understanding how these tools influence real-world practices will be essential for refining their design and expanding their reach.
