Making health messages interesting.

With limited access to health care safe water and sanitation and an adult literacy rate of only 24% the health status of women and children in Afghanistan is among the lowest in the world. The World Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has broadcast educational messages since the mid-1980s. However additional measures are needed to spread the word on certain subjects such as how to prepare oral rehydration solution. The BBC with both domestic and international support implemented the Afghan Education Drama Project to produce a soap opera "New Home New Life" in Pashto and Persian three times per week. A radio production center was set up in Peshawar in 1993 for the purpose. The drama explores the quotidian problems in health education and agriculture experienced in a village resettled by refugees. Story lines with immunization messages are reinforced by programs providing details on areas to be covered age groups eligible for immunization and the diseases against which vaccines are administered. Radio spots jingles shorter dramas and a monthly cartoon magazine also reinforce messages. The approach is proving effective in increasing peoples knowledge of immunization and other subjects.