Radio soap opera series for the "unmet need" audience 1995-1996. Design document.

Many people in Nepal are interested in family planning but have only limited access to relevant information. Access is limited due to low literacy levels traditional beliefs related to health care and family planning practices the physical distance from informational and service sources and by lack of knowledge and skills on the part of the health post service providers. Two radio soap opera series have therefore been designed to reach this audience. The series will use the enter-educate approach since people tend to respond more positively to an entertaining story than they do to formal lectures and basic facts. The stories and characters in the series will deliver messages designed to introduce new ideas and attitudes related to family planning and to counteract negative stereotypes or beliefs by using culturally relevant life experiences and Nepali proverbs which emphasize a more positive approach. The programming will also strengthen local peoples perception of the radio as a reliable source of information for family health care issues while suggesting other sources of information for those who are interested. This document is comprised of sections on the following topics: design team members job descriptions purpose and objectives of the series message focus program sequence curriculum content glossary program format sample script production logistics promotional materials evaluation and monitoring plan production flow chart and time line.