Clubfoot is a congenital condition that, if untreated, leads to lifelong disability, yet highly treatable with early intervention. In Nigeria, barriers such as stigma, poor awareness, and weak referral pathways limit timely access to treatment. The Straight Child Foundation (TSCF) designed and implemented a Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) for implementation years 2023, 2024, and 2025, focused on connection and relationships to address these challenges. The approach emphasized trust-building, storytelling, and partnerships across the community, health systems, and media platforms.
Community mobilization activities engaged parents, traditional social groups, religious leaders, and volunteers to champion awareness and reduce stigma. Storytelling through caregiver testimonies was employed to establish trust and encourage care-seeking behaviors. Partnerships with the Primary Health Care Development Agencies (PHCDAs), Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs), National Orientation Agency (NOA), and Community Health Officers (CHOs) ensured early detection and referral of cases. In parallel, collaboration with media outlets amplified positive stories and reshaped public perception of clubfoot from a disability stigma to a treatable condition.
Results included increased clinic attendance, earlier referrals by health workers, and improved caregiver trust in the health system. Importantly, institutional support grew, with state health authorities beginning to integrate clubfoot detection into primary health services.
This case demonstrates how SBCC strategies rooted in connection and collaboration can strengthen systems and improve outcomes. It offers new insights into how relationships among caregivers, communities, or institutions, can serve as vehicles for lasting behavior and social change, aligning directly with the Summit's subtheme on trust, storytelling, and partnerships.
Clubfoot is a congenital condition that, if untreated, leads to lifelong disability, yet highly treatable with early intervention. In Nigeria, barriers such as stigma, poor awareness, and weak referral pathways limit timely access to treatment. The Straight Child Foundation (TSCF) designed and implemented a Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) for implementation years 2023, 2024, and 2025, focused on connection and relationships to address these challenges. The approach emphasized trust-building, storytelling, and partnerships across the community, health systems, and media platforms.
Community mobilization activities engaged parents, traditional social groups, religious leaders, and volunteers to champion awareness and reduce stigma. Storytelling through caregiver testimonies was employed to establish trust and encourage care-seeking behaviors. Partnerships with the Primary Health Care Development Agencies (PHCDAs), Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs), National Orientation Agency (NOA), and Community Health Officers (CHOs) ensured early detection and referral of cases. In parallel, collaboration with media outlets amplified positive stories and reshaped public perception of clubfoot from a disability stigma to a treatable condition.
Results included increased clinic attendance, earlier referrals by health workers, and improved caregiver trust in the health system. Importantly, institutional support grew, with state health authorities beginning to integrate clubfoot detection into primary health services.
This case demonstrates how SBCC strategies rooted in connection and collaboration can strengthen systems and improve outcomes. It offers new insights into how relationships among caregivers, communities, or institution ...
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