As behavioural scientists, we know that not every project will carry the same weight. But some truly remind us why we do this work. The TB Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Training Manual for the Department of Health South Africa is one of them.
South Africa’s TB crisis is brutal: over 300,000 new cases every year, a stretched health system, and people struggling with stigma and poverty. Those on the ground – health workers, TB managers, communities – face a daily struggle. We poured our all into this manual because we wanted to back them up, even if it’s just a small piece of the fight.
BCA led this from start to finish:
Ran a national needs assessment, talking directly with TB managers, community health workers, NGOs and health promoters to understand their needs.
Built a manual with practical, science-backed tools to create, deliver and track TB communication that connects.
Tested it in pilot workshops, refining it to fit South Africa’s diverse realities.
To the CHWs, health promoters, provincial managers, ACSM coordinators, medical pros and civil society partners who shared their insights and tested the draft: your feedback made this stronger. This manual is built to chip away at stigma, help people stick with treatment and support communities.
We are now in the final refinement stage, integrating feedback from the pilot workshops so the manual is clear, practical and adaptable across contexts. We cannot wait to share the final outcome.
This project let us do what we’re here for: use behavioural science to back the people doing the hard, important work.
