To address gaps in knowledge about HIV prevention and family planning, the United States (US)-based Population Media Center (PMC) collaborated with CORA (Centro de Orientación para Adolescentes) to develop and produce a radio call-in show for youth, called Válvula de Escape, Un Espacio Sin Censura. Sexo Netas y Preguntas. ("Escape Valve, a Space without Censorship. Discussion and Questions about Sex.") It was broadcast on Radio Mexiquense in Toluca (Mexico State) during 2007 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm every Thursday.

In order to gauge the success of the show, a survey of 300 students was conducted in the fall of 2007 at schools in one of the broadcast areas. Respondents were asked a series of questions about their awareness and exposure to the radio programme Válvula de Escape; knowledge of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs); and knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours with regard to family planning.

70% percent of students interviewed said they listened to Válvula de Escape.

• Listeners had significantly higher knowledge than non-listeners of various birth control methods including birth control pills (74% vs. 60%), female condoms (44% vs. 27%), and injections (28% vs. 11%).
• Listeners (92%) were significantly more likely than non-listeners (83%) to recognise emergency contraception as a form of birth control.
• Significantly more listeners (93%) compared to nonlisteners (72%) correctly indicated that, without an HIV test "a person can't tell when another person has HIV."
• Listeners were significantly more likely than nonlisteners to know how HIV can be transmitted:
  o Having sex without a condom: listeners (77%) vs. non-listeners (57%).
  o From sharing needles: listeners (58%) vs. non-listeners (24%).
  o Through blood transfusions: listeners (63%) vs. non-listeners (32%).
• Listeners (59%) were significantly more likely than non-listeners (26%) to know that a blood test will not detect HIV infection one week after exposure to the virus.
• Listeners were significantly more likely than non-listeners to be knowledgeable about STIs, including knowing symptoms and modes of transmission.

The show was found to have had high appeal among those who listened, with 88% of students indicating they "liked it" or "liked it a lot." 71% of listeners said what they learned from the programme was "useful in their own lives."

Population Media Center Enews [PDF], February 2008; and All-Party Parliamentary Group on Population, Development and Reproductive Health document, accessed September 29 2009.