unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (10/11/89)
TRAINING RADIO BROADCASTERS IN CSDR
Posting Date: 10/09/89 Copyright UNITEX Communications, 1989
UNITEX Network, USA ISSN: 1043-7932
Jimmy Arturo Rodriquez, a renowned sports commentator in
Honduras, is one of the growing numbers of radio broadcasters
using their technical knowledge and widespread popularity to
carry health messages to mothers and children throughout the
country.
UNICEF Honduras and the Honduran Ministry of Health recently
conducted courses for 100 radio broadcasters on child survival
and development issues. Four separate courses spread over a
five-day period familiarized the radio professionals in such
subjects as child mortality, immunization, diarrhoeal disease
and acute respiratory infection. As part of the exercise,
broadcasters prepared appealing mini-radio programmes to
heighten awareness and educate mothers and their families.
This type of training takes on greater importance given the role
and outreach of radio in this Central American country. The
population of Honduras is estimated at 4.5 million, of which
over half can neither read nor write.
A recent study conducted by UNICEF Honduras and the Ministry of
Health indicated that radio was one of the most effective ways
to reach people during an immunization campaign. Sixty per cent
of mothers polled said that they owned working radios, compared
to 31 per cent who had access to television.
But the same study showed that while 96 per cent of these mothers
were convinced of the need to vaccinate their children, only 13
per cent were aware that their children required the full
schedule of vaccines during their first year of life.
Such findings underscore the urgent need to use radio, in
combination with other mass media and traditional communication
channels, to not only inform but educate mothers to improve
health practices.
Source: UNICEF, Tegucigalpa
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