This short video explains to parents what a lumbar puncture is. Lumbar punctures are the only way to accurately diagnose children with suspected meningitis, and determine the best treatment.  In some countries there is a lot of fear of lumbar punctures, so many parents refuse consent. In reality, lumbar punctures are very safe. The video can be shown widely at under-5 clinics and health education sessions, or used specifically in emergency departments and paediatric wards.

This film was created in partnership with doctors at the Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, and doctors from research teams and centres of excellence in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Vietnam and India.