Dojiya: An Assessment of Nepal's First Radio Drama Series On Safe Abortion

Background: Nepal’s National Abortion Policy (2002) ensures access to affordable safe abortion services to all Nepali women; despite subsequent improvements in abortion service availability, recent studies show a dearth in knowledge of abortion services. 

Program background: In response, the government developed a communication plan, including development of a radio drama series on reproductive health and abortion topics.  Dojiya, the resulting 26 episode serial radio drama on safe, legal, induced abortion, was designed to ensure that communities understand the current abortion law; educate listeners about where they can access safe abortion services; and reduce the social stigma associated with abortion.  The purpose of this analysis was to conduct a qualitative assessment of Dojiya.

Evaluation Methods and Results: Six focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted to gauge participant impressions, knowledge and attitudes towards abortion following exposure to Dojiya. Married and unmarried men and women of reproductive age were selected to participate in the FGDs who had listened to the program were identified from the study districts. In total, 6 FGDs were conducted. Preliminary analysis involved reading and descriptive (i.e., open) coding of focus group discussion transcripts. These descriptive codes were then thematically analyzed and arranged into a smaller set of broader themes which captured the main topics emerging from the data. All coding was done by hand, and results were verified by two coders. Although the analysis process was mainly inductive, thematic areas were derived from the questions included in the interview guide. In addition, eight in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants involved in reproductive health program development.  Finally, letters from listeners were reviewed for comments that illustrated themes that emerged from the focus group discussions and in-depth interviews.  Overall findings were positive; many participants had favorable responses to the program messages and reported improved knowledge of abortion and reproductive health related issues.  In some cases the program not only improved knowledge, but also engendered positive changes in health behavior. Furthermore, listeners thought the radio drama format delivered important health communication through a medium that is clear, easy to understand and entertaining.  Listeners thought the radio drama format delivered important health communication through a medium that is clear, easy to understand and entertaining. Key informants from stakeholder organizations also felt the radio program was successful in addressing sensitive health topics.  In addition, the radio program engendered positive changes in health behavior.  Feedback from listener letters confirmed this positive behavior change with additional examples of knowledge sharing and improved reproductive health behaviors

Conclusions: Despite stigma associated with discussions about induced abortion, this study suggests that nesting positive abortion messages within broader reproductive health topics and delivering them through an entertaining format can be successful in improving knowledge, attitudes and behaviors in these areas.  

Implications for research and/or practice: To further develop this method, future programs should ensure the use of local language and context, create entertaining hooks to keep the audience engaged with the series, provide detailed information on topics of local interest and promote the series through community-based social marketing efforts.