Interactive TV and Radio Programmes - Nigeria
In Lagos State, Nigeria, the Program for Appropriate Technologies in Health (PATH) has developed a mass media project that involves the use of TV and radio call-in programmes to promote health issues. The project is linked with the USAID-funded IMPACT project, an HIV/AIDS prevention programme aimed at young people and adults. IMPACT is being implemented by Family Health International (FHI), in partnership with PATH.
Communication Strategies
The central strategy of this programme is to link mass media HIV/AIDS prevention activities already being implemented by partners with interpersonal communication activities - especially peer education activities.
In that context, the 30-minute-long TV and radio call-in programmes are coordinated. Each week, they both have guests from the partering organisations so that topics such as voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), rights of people living with AIDS (PLHA), and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be discussed. At the same time, the services of these partners are promoted.
The shows are recorded and then played and discussed in peer education sessions, counseling sessions, community group meetings, and the like. Feedback from these activities is recorded and influences the content of future shows. A weekly competition related to the subject matter of the week is conducted through an HIV and AIDS telephone HelpLine. This competition is designed to not only promote the HelpLine but also to allow callers to be referred to local services.
Development Issues
HIV/AIDS, Reproductive Health, Youth.
Key Points
TV and radio are very popular forms of mass media in Lagos State; according to organisers, these call-in programmes are no exception. Due to popular demand, both programmes will go national sometime in 2003 and will increase their air times to 60 minutes.
Partners
PATH, FHI, USAID, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Metro FM Radio Station, local implementing partners.
Source
Letters sent from Teresa Guillien to The Communication Initiative on December 9, 11, and 20, 2002.
Placed on the Communication Initiative site July 21 2003
Last Updated April 27 2009
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