Document details

How Has Media Programming Supported Polio Eradication?

London: BBC Media Action (2018), 11 pp.

Series: Research Briefing

"Since 2013, BBC Media Action has been working closely with Unicef to support polio eradication. Through mass media programming – radio magazine shows and drama, and radio and TV public service announcements (PSAs) – it has sought to break down barriers to immunising against polio and other childhood vaccines among vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities in Afghanistan, Nigeria and Somalia to increase demand for and uptake of them. This briefing synthesises findings from research conducted in the three countries – Afghanistan, Nigeria and Somalia - with a focus on Afghanistan. Research findings suggested that BBC Media Action’s programming provided listeners with accurate, trusted and clear information against misinformation and harmful rumours, increased knowledge on the requirement of multiple doses of vaccines and vaccination schedules, prompted discussion and dialogue in communities, garnered trust and confidence among caregivers through the use of doctors and religious leaders and encouraged parents to vaccinate their children by dispelling misconceptions about vaccinations." (https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaaction)
Tackling polio through media programming, 3
Media programming to change knowledge, attitudes and practices towards childhood vaccination in Afghanistan, 4
Research methodology, 4
Why radio, 5
Research findings, 6
Increased knowledge and discussion on polio in Nigeria, 7
Parents motivated to immunise children in Somalia, 9
Learnings and Implications, 10