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Abstract: Episode 1: The hosts introduce themselves and the show. In "The people have spoken" the young Namibians interviewed on the street respond to the following questions: What are the biggest challenges facing young people in Namibia today?; Who are the people you admire?; How would you describe your relationship with your parents?; When you go out what do you consider a good or bad date?; What is date... more
Abstract: Episode 1: The hosts introduce themselves and the show. In "The people have spoken" the young Namibians interviewed on the street respond to the following questions: What are the biggest challenges facing young people in Namibia today?; Who are the people you admire?; How would you describe your relationship with your parents?; When you go out what do you consider a good or bad date?; What is date rape?; How can date rape be prevented?; What should the punishment be for date rape? At the end of this segment, Mad Milly asks listeners to write in with what they believe to be the three biggest issues facing Namibian youth. After a musical interlude "Death in the dorm" is introduced: George is subjected to hazing by other male students who think he is gay. Monica is looking for her sister, Rebecca. Wolfgang, a married man, has an argument with his wife, who accuses him of having an affair with a university student. Mateo, Rebecca's boyfriend, is questioned by the police. In a counseling session, Colin, tells the psychologist about group of men that gang rape their girlfriends. Detective Green catches a thief. Nadia submits to sexual abuse from her father in order to protect her younger sister. Suzie and Shafa talk about radio dramas and after another musical interlude 'Roaming Rosie' introduces the segment called "What's Goin’ Down?". The show closes with a quiz and a 'brain teaser'. less
Notes: The Suzie and Shafa Show was a 26-week radio variety show designed to improve life-skills and decision-making among 15-24 year olds in the Greater Windhoek area. The show began broadcasting in September 2003 and aired in English on UNAM Radio 97.4 FM located on the campus of the University of Namibia, every Thursday at 5pm with a repeat on Saturdays at 12:30 pm. Each show was 45 minutes long and had... more
Notes: The Suzie and Shafa Show was a 26-week radio variety show designed to improve life-skills and decision-making among 15-24 year olds in the Greater Windhoek area. The show began broadcasting in September 2003 and aired in English on UNAM Radio 97.4 FM located on the campus of the University of Namibia, every Thursday at 5pm with a repeat on Saturdays at 12:30 pm. Each show was 45 minutes long and had 6 different segments: 1) Host Dialogue: Two hosts, Suzie and Shafa, provided dialogue between program segments and gave additional factual information about the day's topic; 2) What's Goin’ Down?: This section informed listeners about interesting places to go to in Windhoek and constructive activities they could get involved in during their spare time; 3) Testimonials: In this segment, viewers were introduced to people with interesting life stories or experiences. Some famous, others just ordinary people from the community; 4) The People Have Spoken (“Mad Milly”): A roving reporter went out onto the streets, schools and malls getting people’s opinions about the topic of the week; 5) Drama – Death in the Dorm: This segment was a serial drama that was very popular with the listeners. Rebecca, a university student, is dead and her best friend, George, is arrested on suspicion of murder.; 6) Music: Short musical segments bridged sections of the show. Additionally, each of the 26 shows focused on a particular theme. Episode 1: Introduction; Episode 2: Youth-Adult Relationships; Episode 3: Dating; Episode 4: Date Rape; Episode 5: Sex for Access; Episode 6: HIV/AIDS; Episode 7: Negative Peer Pressure; Episode 8: Multiple Partners; Episode 9: Condoms: Male and Female; Episode 10: Addiction; Episode 11: Healthy Mind, Healthy Body; Episode 12: Avoiding Pregnancy; Episode 13: Abortion and the Law; Episode 14: Tolerance for all; Episode 15: Alcohol Abuse; Episode 16: Drug Abuse; Episode 17: Leisure Time Activities; Episode 18: Looking Good, Feeling Good; Episode 19: Where to Go for Help and Guidance: Episode 20: Sexual Misconceptions; Episode 21: HIV/AIDS misconceptions; Episode 22: Domestic Violence; Episode 23: Rights and Responsibilities as a Citizen of Namibia; Episode 24: Voluntary Counseling and Testing; Episode 25: Getting Ahead; Episode 26: Overall Summary and Conclusion.|The program addressed the key factors Namibian youth are confronted with today, such as perceptions of risk toward HIV infection and HIV testing. For example, while two-thirds of the youth surveyed said they wanted to be tested for HIV, only about a quarter had ever actually been tested. The Suzie and Shafa Show addressed practical issues such as where to go for HIV testing as well as lifestyle issues related to alcohol and drug use, relationship problems, and sexual habits.|"The survey findings suggest an extraordinary need for programs that provide youth with the skills and support needed to make healthy choices on lifestyle and behavior as well as providing hope that it is possible to avoid HIV infection. The Suzie and Shafa Show is a pioneering effort that has young people in partnership, with support from a wide range of community organizations, creating entertaining, provocative and insightful programs that truly reach youth," said C. Kirk Lazell, USAID Health Officer in Namibia. "We are also pleased at the popularity of the show. Though only four shows had been broadcast at the time of the survey, we had already achieved an impressive listenership." less
Behavior Change Theories: Stages of Change
Formative Research: During November 2002, the Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs (hereafter JHU/CCP) subcontracted Research Facilitation Services (hereafter RFS) to assist with research about the youth of Windhoek. The research consisted of a quantitative part (face-to-face personal interviews with youth aged between 16 to 25) and a qualitative part (focus groups amongst youth of the same age).... more
Formative Research: During November 2002, the Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs (hereafter JHU/CCP) subcontracted Research Facilitation Services (hereafter RFS) to assist with research about the youth of Windhoek. The research consisted of a quantitative part (face-to-face personal interviews with youth aged between 16 to 25) and a qualitative part (focus groups amongst youth of the same age). The survey was designed by JHU/CCP to ascertain attitudes and behaviour of the youth in terms of sexual and general behaviour. The focus groups were conducted in order to test the first pilot programs of a radio program called Suzy and Shafa, aimed at the youth. less
Formative Research Links:
In-Depth Interviews: The Effect of Culture and Environment on the Behaviour of Namibian Youth, May 2003. Complete report
Pretesting: During November 2002, Research Facilitation Services (RFS) conducted six (6) focus groups for the Johns Hopkins University/Center for Communication Programs (JHU/CCP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The aim of the focus groups was to establish how young people between the ages of 16 to 24 perceived the Suzy and Shafa radio show.|All groups were conducted by a trained... more
Pretesting: During November 2002, Research Facilitation Services (RFS) conducted six (6) focus groups for the Johns Hopkins University/Center for Communication Programs (JHU/CCP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The aim of the focus groups was to establish how young people between the ages of 16 to 24 perceived the Suzy and Shafa radio show.|All groups were conducted by a trained moderator. An assistant was present during all the focus groups for note-taking purposes. Scholars and students were not mixed racially or by gender. Non-students were mixed by gender but not by race. Furthermore, one of the aims of the survey was to establish whether there were any real differences between male and female as well as across different racial group’s perceptions of the radio show.|The idea of a live show with phone-in guests was very appealing to the majority of respondents in different groups. Even if this was not possible, they felt strongly that the discussions should be stimulated with different ideas, such ideas coming from guests and not the hosts. What was evident from the reactions of especially UNAM students was that they identified deeply with the social issues raised in the show but felt that they had no one to talk to about them. With counselors on campus being too personal, a radio or telephone counselor is more anonymous and therefore easier to approach.|From focus groups only, it is risky to predict possible changes in behavior as a result of the show. However, this program could be important in breaking down stereotypes and should therefore be careful with how characters are portrayed. Typecasting should therefore be avoided if possible. less
Pretesting Links:
Suzy and Shafa Focus Groups, November 2002. Complete report
Summative Evaluation: Among those who listened to the Suzie and Shafa Show (n = 90), just over three-quarters said they agreed or strongly agreed it influenced them to protect themselves (77.8%). Almost two-thirds of listeners agreed or strongly agreed that the show increased both their self-efficacy (62.2%) and response-efficacy (64.4%) and three-quarters said it raised their HIV/AIDS knowledge (75.6%).|In order to provide... more
Summative Evaluation: Among those who listened to the Suzie and Shafa Show (n = 90), just over three-quarters said they agreed or strongly agreed it influenced them to protect themselves (77.8%). Almost two-thirds of listeners agreed or strongly agreed that the show increased both their self-efficacy (62.2%) and response-efficacy (64.4%) and three-quarters said it raised their HIV/AIDS knowledge (75.6%).|In order to provide guidance for future entertainment education programs, analysis was conducted on the features of the radio variety show itself. First, listeners rated the quality of the Suzie and Shafa Show as moderately high, with 68.9% saying “the quality was very good,” 70% saying “the production quality was very good,” and 60% saying “the characters were culturally appropriate.” (Previous research, however, shows that answers to these questions typically are in the 90% range, probably because when directly questioned people tend to upgrade their estimates in a socially desirable direction.)|Respondents were asked whether they liked program segments of the Suzie and Shafa Show. Of the five program segments, “Drama” (82.2%) was the most liked segment, followed “Music” (74.4%), “Host Dialogue” (61.3%), and “Testimonials” (53.3%). “Mad Milly” (48.1%) and “What’s Goin’ Down?” (35.8%) were the least most popular segments. Overall, there was relatively low identification with the hosts.|Listeners were asked to list the program episodes they liked the best, without prompting of specific episodes. Listeners were able to mention between 1 and 16 episodes spontaneously. The HIV/AIDS episode was mentioned most frequently (59 mentions), followed by Alcohol Abuse (38 mentions), and Youth-Adult Relationships (35 mentions) (Chart 27). The only episodes with no mentions were Leisure Time Activities, and the Overall Summary and Conclusion episodes. less
Summative Evaluation Links:
Executive summary of the impact of the Suzie and Shafa Show
Suzy and Shafa Listener Groups, September-October 2003. Complete report
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