Strengthening trust in science and behavior change during Nigeria’s COVID-19 response
Strengthening trust in science and behavior change during Nigeria’s COVID-19 response
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1 min read
Nigeria’s COVID-19 response unfolded in an environment of uncertainty, misinformation, and rapidly shifting guidance. Public trust in official communication weakened as scientific recommendations evolved and rumors spread faster than verified information.
At the height of the pandemic, public health authorities needed to communicate evolving scientific advice on symptoms, transmission, and prevention to a large and diverse population, while ensuring clarity, credibility, and cultural relevance. Without effective communication, adherence to key behaviours such as mask-wearing, handwashing, and physical distancing risked breaking down, worsening public health outcomes.
Nigeria’s COVID-19 response unfolded in an environment of uncertainty, misinformation, and rapidly shifting guidance. Public trust in official communication weakened as scientific recommendations evolved and rumors spread faster than verified information.
At the height of the pandemic, public health authorities needed to communicate evolving scientific advice on symptoms, transmission, and prevention to a large and diverse population, while ensuring clarity, credibility, and cultural relevance. Without effective communication, adherence to key behaviours such as mask-wearing, handwashing, and physical distancing risked breaking down, worsening public health outcomes.
Gatefield rebuilt the communication layer between science and the public. Working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), we translated evolving public health guidance into simple, actionable messaging that could travel across communities at speed. Complex scientific updates were converted into clear behavioral instructions: what to do, when to act, and how to stay safe.
Gatefield rebuilt the communication layer between science and the public. Working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), we translated evolving public health guidance into simple, actionable messaging that could travel across communities at speed. Complex scientific updates were converted into clear behavioral instructions: what to do, when to act, and how to stay safe.
We designed and deployed a nationwide communication system – posters, brochures, illustrations, and audiovisual content – distributed across mass and community channels. Messaging was continuously updated as the pandemic evolved, responding to new variants, changing restrictions, and emerging public concerns.
We designed and deployed a nationwide communication system – posters, brochures, illustrations, and audiovisual content – distributed across mass and community channels. Messaging was continuously updated as the pandemic evolved, responding to new variants, changing restrictions, and emerging public concerns.
Clear, consistent, and culturally resonant messaging stabilized public understanding during a volatile information environment. By simplifying scientific guidance without diluting accuracy, the campaign strengthened trust in official health institutions and increased adoption of preventive behavior across Nigeria.
Clear, consistent, and culturally resonant messaging stabilized public understanding during a volatile information environment. By simplifying scientific guidance without diluting accuracy, the campaign strengthened trust in official health institutions and increased adoption of preventive behavior across Nigeria.
TRUST IN THE NIGERIAN CENTRE FOR DISEASE CONTROL
TRUST IN THE NIGERIAN CENTRE FOR DISEASE CONTROL
NIGERIANS UNDERSTOOD THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
NIGERIANS UNDERSTOOD THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
NIGERIANS REACHED WITH COVID-19 COMMUNICATIONS MESSAGES
NIGERIANS REACHED WITH COVID-19 COMMUNICATIONS MESSAGES
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READ MORE INSIGHTS
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