Toolkit: improving trust in science and healthcare in Africa
[Summary] The Wellcome Global Monitor 2018: Africa toolkit shows how people in Africa think and feel about science and healthcare.
The Wellcome Global Monitor 2018: Africa toolkit shows how people in 40 African countries think and feel about science and healthcare.
- key findings about public attitudes on science and health
- data visualisations
- recommendations on how to use these
- African health ministers
- policy makers
- researchers
"Vaccines are one of our most important healthcare tools. Reluctance or refusal to vaccinate threatens to reverse progress made in tackling vaccine-preventable diseases.
To address this problem we must focus on not only access, but community trust too. We need to work together with ministries of health and stakeholders at all levels to engage communities to build trust in vaccines and other healthcare advances.
It is only through connecting directly with people that we can increase their confidence. We then must match increased demand with increased supply, ensuring access to all, wherever they live." Dr Agnes Binagwaho
The Wellcome Global Monitor, which surveyed over 140,000 people in 144 countries – including 40 countries in Africa – provides an unprecedented view of relationships between science and the public around the world, by nationality, gender, income and education.
The survey asked important questions to ensure research benefits everyone equally. The topics included attitudes to vaccines, confidence in healthcare systems, doctors, nurses, scientists and government, and how much they think science benefits people like them.
We’ve consolidated the Wellcome Global Monitor findings for Africa into one report, to help identify challenges and opportunities for engaging the public.
You can use the Wellcome Global Monitor Africa toolkit as evidence to identify gaps in trust between scientists and society. To actually fill those gaps you’ll need a more in-depth understanding of the specific challenges in your area, support of influential people and channels for engaging the public.
Here are three actions you can take:
- Gain support of local leaders
Present the findings at your next meeting, event or webinar to show the need for better public engagement with science in Africa. You can use this PowerPoint presentation [PPTX 2.6MB].
- Do more research
Use the full Wellcome Global Monitor Africa dataset [XLSX 126.51MB] and explore the data more, for example by looking at what impacts trust in vaccinations in your area. You can apply for Wellcome funding to support your research if you find a suitable grant for you.
- Stay in touch
We want to help you drive more trust in vaccines. Keep us up to date with your progress by emailing us at w.globalmonitor@wellcome.org or tag us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn using the hashtag #Wmonitor.
Download these infographics to use in reports, presentations, or on social media.
These images are free to use in presentations and on social media, but only to promote the Wellcome Global Monitor.
