Bridging Cultural Gaps in Health Communication: Indigenous Language as a Catalyst for Combatting Monkeypox in Lagos, Nigeria

Infectious diseases such as Monkeypox have continued to pose significant threats to global health, demanding effective strategies for prevention and control. Existing studies have primarily focused on Monkeypox clinical analysis, with less attention given to adopting indigenous language as a health communication for the proper behavioural practices. This study investigated the usage of indigenous language as a health communication strategy towards the prevention of Monkeypox vis-à-vis the knowledge, attitude, and practices of Alimosho residents of Lagos State. Furthermore, the study determines the influence of information sources on resident’s behavioural practices. The research employed a mixed-methods approach of in-depth interviews and surveys to collect data from public health practitioners and 439 randomly selected residents of Alimosho using multistage sampling. Findings revealed a mixed level of understanding and adherence to recommended preventive measures. The study revealed that little effort was channelled into raising awareness about Monkeypox especially as it involved using the indigenous language. The hospital focused mainly on Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, HIV, and Smallpox by employing communication channels such as seminars, flyers and use the media. The study also showed that majority of the respondents (83%) were aware of Monkeypox; however, only 20.4% were knowledgeable about the symptoms, mode of transmission, and preventive measures towards the disease. This study concludes that there is poor knowledge regarding Monkeypox amongst Alimosho residents despite seeking information on the disease. Therefore, the study further recommends that indigenous language should be adopted alongside the various communication channels used by the Government as well as Non-governmental organisations towards orienting Alimosho residents about Monkeypox right behavioural practices.

诸如猴痘（Monkeypox）在内的传染病持续对全球公共卫生构成严峻威胁，亟需制定行之有效的防控策略。现有研究多聚焦猴痘的临床分析，却鲜有关注以本土语言开展健康传播、推广规范行为实践的相关路径。本研究以拉各斯州阿里莫绍（Alimosho）居民的知识、态度与行为为研究视角，探讨了将本土语言作为健康传播策略应用于猴痘防控的实践效果；同时，本研究还分析了信息来源对居民行为实践的影响机制。本研究采用深度访谈与问卷调查相结合的混合研究方法，通过多阶段抽样法，从公共卫生从业者及439名随机抽取的阿里莫绍居民中收集研究数据。研究结果显示，居民对推荐的防控措施的认知水平与依从程度参差不齐。研究发现，针对猴痘的宣传推广投入严重不足，尤其是采用本土语言开展的宣传工作尤为匮乏。当地医疗卫生机构主要围绕乙型肝炎病毒（Hepatitis B virus）、丙型肝炎病毒（Hepatitis C virus）、人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）及天花（Smallpox）开展健康传播，所用渠道包括研讨会、宣传传单及各类媒体平台。研究同时显示，83%的受访对象知晓猴痘，但仅20.4%的受访者能够准确掌握该疾病的症状、传播途径与防控措施。本研究得出结论：尽管阿里莫绍居民会主动获取猴痘相关信息，但当地居民对猴痘的整体认知水平偏低。因此，本研究进一步建议，政府与非政府组织（Non-governmental Organisations）应在现有各类传播渠道基础上，引入本土语言开展针对性宣传，以引导阿里莫绍居民掌握猴痘防控的正确行为实践。