Conceptualisation and production of culturally inspired 3-dimensional animation a footpath for enhanced awareness creation of Malaria prevention in Effutu communities

Abstract

Malaria has been a menace of a health condition to human beings for more than seven decades. People in Africa, Asia and the America suffer the most. The aim of the study is to use animations to create awareness on the prevention of Malaria in Effutu Communities in the Central Region of Ghana. The study is qualitative and adopted Art- Based Research as the design. The AIDA Model and Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning underpin the theoretical frameworks for the study. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were employed to select the participants for the study. The data collection instruments were interviews, observation and visual research (drawings and photographs). The study revealed that the use of culturally-inspired 3D animation as an aid for Malaria education is vital and efficient since it helps with easy understanding and complements what the traditional media channels (posters, flyers, TV ads and radio ads, and face-to-face) also communicate to people in the Effutu communities. The study further revealed that health officers appreciate the introduction of the use of culturallyinspired 3D animation for Malaria education because it makes it enhances understanding. The familiar environment, local name of the main protagonist and original local background sound added to igniting the interest shown in the animation by the participants. The study concludes that the inclusion of culturally-inspired 3D animation for Malaria health education adds to multiple presentations of dissemination of information and it underscores the necessity of aligning material design with both cognitive load management and cultural relevance. The study recommends that indigenous language integration should be strengthened through the development of standardized Malaria prevention terminology in Fante and other relevant indigenous languages to ensure consistency across all health education materials. The outcome of the study demonstrates the effectiveness of culturally-inspired 3D animation as an aid to preventing and controlling Malaria in Effutu Communities in the Central Region of Ghana.