The Emergence of Mpox in Malawi
When the first case of Mpox was recorded in April 2025 in Malawi, the disease was new and unfamiliar to most communities. Unlike Cholera, which has affected the country for decades, Mpox entered public awareness surrounded by uncertainty, fear, and widespread misinformation.
Myths spread quickly, and many people did not understand what Mpox was, how it spreads, or how it can be prevented. In public health emergencies, misinformation can travel just as fast as the disease itself.
Responding to the Need for Accurate Information
In response to the growing need for clear and accessible information, UNICEF Malawi, in partnership with the Ministry of Health Malawi, commissioned Eluby Consulting to research and develop multimedia communication materials addressing Mpox transmission, prevention, and response.
The assignment went beyond simply producing content. The goal was to develop materials that could correct misconceptions, build public understanding, and support behaviour change during an evolving outbreak.
Starting with Research and Community Insights
At Eluby Consulting, we believe that effective Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) goes beyond sharing information; it requires working with communities, not just for them.
Guided by Human-Centred Design (HCD) principles and grounded in co-creation, we placed communities at the centre of every stage of the development process. This approach ensured that the messages reflected lived realities and addressed real knowledge gaps.
Through desk reviews and consultations with health experts, we examined available evidence on Mpox transmission, symptoms, case management, and prevention measures. We also assessed emerging misinformation trends and areas of confusion within communities. This helped us understand why fear and myths were spreading and what type of communication would be most effective in addressing them.
Co-Creating Solutions with Health Experts
We then conducted co-creation workshops with health experts from the Health Promotion Division and technical teams from UNICEF Malawi.
Together, we translated research findings into draft scripts and visual concepts that were technically accurate, culturally appropriate, and easy to understand. The process required multiple rounds of technical review and refinement. Some materials were revised several times to ensure clarity, accuracy, and simplicity without compromising scientific integrity.
Pre-Testing with Communities and Frontline Workers
To ensure the materials would be usable and well received by their intended audiences, we conducted pre-testing sessions with health workers, community volunteers, and learners.
These sessions allowed us to:
- Test message clarity and comprehension
- Assess how visuals were interpreted by audiences
- Determine whether the materials were practical for community engagement
Feedback from these sessions was carefully reviewed and incorporated to strengthen both the content and the design.
Developing Accessible Communication Tools
Based on these insights, we developed several communication products designed to explain Mpox in a simple and actionable way.
These included:
- An explanatory video outlining what Mpox is and how it spreads
- A job aid to support frontline health workers during community engagement
- An illustrated comic book explaining prevention, symptoms, and response actions
Each product was designed to make complex health information simple, memorable, and
practical for everyday use.
Quality Assurance and National Response
Following revisions, all materials were submitted to the Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement (QA/QI) team for review and endorsement.
We are proud that the materials met the required standards and are now supporting ongoing national response efforts in Malawi.
Lessons for Effective Public Health Communication
This assignment reflects what effective SBCC should be: evidence-based, participatory, and people-centred.
By applying co-creation principles and human-centred design, we ensured that Mpox communication was not only accurate but also trusted, accepted, and usable by the communities it was meant to serve.
Our Commitment at Eluby Consulting
At Eluby Consulting, we remain committed to designing communication solutions that empower communities, strengthen public understanding, and support national health priorities.
Sustainable change happens when people are part of the solution—not just recipients of information, but active participants in protecting their own health.