Arts-based approaches to promoting health in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review

Abstract

IntroductionArts-based approaches to health promotion have been used widely across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), particularly in public health responses to HIV/AIDS. Such approaches draw on deep-rooted historical traditions of indigenous groups in combination with imported traditions which emerged from colonial engagement. To date, no review has sought to map the locations, health issues, art forms and methods documented by researchers using arts-based approaches in SSA.MethodsUsing scoping review methodology, 11 databases spanning biomedicine, arts and humanities and social sciences were searched. Researchers screened search results for papers using predefined criteria. Papers included in the review were read and summarised using a standardised proforma. Descriptive statistics were produced to characterise the location of the studies, art forms used or discussed, and the health issues addressed, and to determine how best to summarise the literature identified.ResultsSearches identified a total of 59 794 records, which reduced to 119 after screening. We identified literature representing 30 (62.5%) of the 48 countries in the SSA region. The papers covered 16 health issues. The majority (84.9%) focused on HIV/AIDS-related work, with Ebola (5.0%) and malaria (3.3%) also receiving attention. Most studies used a single art form (79.0%), but a significant number deployed multiple forms (21.0%). Theatre-based approaches were most common (43.7%), followed by music and song (22.6%), visual arts (other) (9.2%), storytelling (7.6%) and film (5.0%).ConclusionsArts-based approaches have been widely deployed in health promotion in SSA, particularly in response to HIV/AIDS. Historically and as evidenced by this review, arts-based approaches have provided a platform to facilitate enquiry, achieved significant reach and in some instances supported demonstrable health-related change. Challenges relating to content, power relations and evaluation have been reported. Future research should focus on broadening application to other conditions, such as non-communicable diseases, and on addressing challenges raised in research to date.

Communicating Awareness About COVID-19 Through Songs: An Example From Ghana

“…Generally, edutainment health interventions are complementary to traditional public health interventions ( 18 ). Several studies have reported how songs and music can be used as a means of education and increasing awareness in public health context and clinical experience ( 12 , 19 – 21 , 50 ). Thus, the use of music to influence knowledge, attitudes and behaviors toward infectious diseases like COVID-19 is not a new phenomenon in Africa.…”

“…It was aimed at de-stigmatizing HIV/AIDS, encouraging compassionate care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS, and encouraging citizens to adopt safe sex behavior ( 25 ). Also, various studies document how popular musicians were commissioned by organizations such as WHO and UNICEF in 2014–2016 to compose prevention songs as a response to the Ebola outbreak in Liberia and other parts of Africa ( 21 , 26 ).…”

Bridging research integrity and global health epidemiology (BRIDGE) guidelines: explanation and elaboration

“…Communication material can take the form of news articles and social media posts; community meetings, newspaper articles, videos or short films, documentaries, podcasts, infographics, etc. Art-based approaches, such as theatre, music, visual arts, storytelling and film 67 are especially useful to reach and engage large numbers of people. Study findings need to be communicated neutrally and impartially, and where necessary conflicts of interest need to be clarified/declared.…”

“Maskandi experience”: exploring the use of a cultural song for community engagement in preparation for a pilot Sterile Insect Technique release programme for malaria vector control in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa 2019

“…In sub-Saharan Africa, use of artistic forms [ 23 – 26 ] to engage with communities is the most commonly reported strategy. According to Bunn and colleagues [ 24 ], 17 different categories of art forms are widely used in sub-Saharan Africa with theatre, music and song, TV/radio, visual arts and storytelling being among the top 5.…”