S2E1 - Behavioural considerations and human-centred design for vector control

In this episode we talk to April Monroe and Danielle Piccinini Black from the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs about social and behavioral considerations for vector control and the human-centred design approach. We cover topics including: 

• What human-centred design is, with an example of how the approach has been applied to improve long-lasting insecticidal net design in Ghana  
• The importance of empathy and flexibility in conducting research that puts affected communities first 
• How strong, equitable relationships with communities can help to mitigate ethical challenges that often accompany traditional research approaches

April Monroe, PhD | Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs

April Monroe has over a decade of experience in global health, focusing on malaria research, program implementation, and policy. Her work aims to increase the impact of malaria interventions by learning from and engaging with people most affected by the disease. This includes understanding challenges to and motivations for malaria prevention and treatment practices and how gaps in protection arise. It also includes engaging stakeholders at all levels to help ensure new malaria control approaches respond to peoples’ needs and lifestyles and are rooted within systems that support long-term success. April earned a PhD in Epidemiology and Public Health from the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, an MSPH degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health with a focus in Social and Behavioral Interventions, and a certificate in Innovation and Human Centered Design from the Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School.  

Social Media 

LinkedIn 

Twitter: @AprilCMonroe 

Related Blog Posts/Media 

Rethinking Mosquito Net Use in Ghana 

CCP to Help Evaluate New Spatial Repellent for Mosquitoes 

Elimination of Malaria in Zanzibar Remains Elusive Despite Progress 

To Halt Malaria, More Research Focused on Human Behavior Needed 

Beyond Bed Nets: Mosquitoes Don’t Just Bite at Bedtime 

Related Peer-Reviewed Publications 

Improving malaria control by understanding human behaviour 

Unlocking the human factor to increase effectiveness and sustainability of malaria vector control 

Methods and indicators for measuring patterns of human exposure to malaria vectors 

Understanding the gap between access and use: a qualitative study on barriers and facilitators to insecticide-treated net use in Ghana 

Human behaviour and residual malaria transmission in Zanzibar: findings from in-depth interviews and direct observation of community events 

Measuring and characterizing night time human behaviour as it relates to residual malaria transmission in sub-Saharan Africa: a review of the published literature 

Danielle Piccinini Black, MBA, MPH | Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs

Danielle Piccinini Black is the Design Innovation Lead at the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, Academic Lead for Innovation and Human-Centered Design at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School—Executive Education, and Design Thinking Adjunct Faculty at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. She leads the development and implementation of design thinking research, workshops, and co-creation internationally to address emerging public health and business needs, and uses that experience to enhance her design thinking courses. Danielle holds an MPH from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and an MBA from the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. She also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Niger and South Africa. Email: danielle.piccinini@jhu.edu  

www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-piccinini-black-mba-mph-76685370  

 https://www.ghspjournal.org/content/7/2/160