Hip-hop health moves educate youngsters
The aim of the hip-hop health programme is for youngsters to learn about specific health issues and become agents of change among their peers
TO commemorate the start of an exciting new partnership between the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) and youngsters within its area of operation, an educational ‘hip-hop science spaza’ was recently held at its Somkhele facilities.
‘We research HIV, TB, and all other diseases, including diabetes and high blood pressure,’ said AHRI’s Director, Professor Deenan Pillay.
‘The real crisis in our area is that young people are at increasing risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and we’ve got to do research addressing the needs of those young people.
‘We need the youth to tell us how best we can engage, how best we can partner with them, and how best young people themselves can take control of their lives, make sure they are safe, that they grow up healthy and that the next generation of people are not affected by these terrible diseases.’
To this end, AHRI scientists spent three weeks in the run-up to the event working with 30 learners from local secondary schools such as Nkodibe Secondary, Ikusasalethu Secondary, Nomathiya Technical High, Inkosi Mgwazeni Secondary and Umfolozi High.
Public engagement specialists Jive Media Africa and sound technicians also formed part of the team which was tasked with developing the core findings of the centre’s research into five unique songs.
The scientific studies had a common theme relating to the health of young people, including a research project exploring young people’s vision and hope for the future, the rate of TB infection among children and teenagers, how young people experience health services, young people’s experiences of moving from a rural to an urban environment, and a study on sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections among young men and women.
The aim of the hip-hop health programme is for learners to gain knowledge on these subjects and become agents of change among their peers.
‘It has been a long journey, but I have enjoyed every second of it,’ said Xoliswa Mazibuko of Nomathiya Technical High School.
‘I learnt that TB can be curable, but you need to know your status – you need to get checked.’
A science fair was also held, which included a laboratory tour and discussions about AHRI’s work.
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