Radio to Prevent Diarrhoea

The Voice of America (VOA) has been airing messages and dramas designed by PSI to promote an increase in diarrhoea-related awareness among parents. VOA, which broadcasts in 2 principal Afghan languages, Pashto and Dari, agreed to air approximately 42 messages and 1 PSI-produced drama per week. Four short dramas, 2 of which were adapted from dramas originally developed by UNICEF, are also being aired. The messages and dramas are also broadcast on 17 local radio stations.

The project also uses interpersonal communication to disseminate health information and to promote life-saving practices in homes and communities. Drawing on an existing network of female community health workers, PSI is making special efforts to deliver messages to the many Afghan women who are homebound.

Children, Health, Nutrition, Women.

According to organisers, diarrhoeal disease is the second largest killer of children worldwide. In Afghanistan, 20% of children under 3 are reported to have had diarrhoea within the previous 2 weeks. Many of the diarrhoea episodes are managed in a manner that exacerbates dehydration and malnutrition. For example, 25% of children were given less or no liquid during the prior episode and 50% were given less or no food. Infant mortality in Afghanistan is 165 per 1,000 live births, the third highest in the world, compared to 7 in the USA. More than 1 in 4 children die before the age of 5.

Research indicates that radio is a widely used medium among the Afghanistan people. 70% of male heads of households in Afghanistan listen to radio at least once a week, according to surveys by Intermedia. Radio also reaches Afghan women.

VOA, which first went on the air in 1942, is a multimedia broadcaster funded by the US government. VOA broadcasts more than 1,000 hours of news, information, educational and cultural programming every week to a worldwide audience of 94 million people. Programmes are broadcast in English and 52 other languages.