# Using radio programming to reach young adolescents with gender and sexual health information in a low-income urban setting in Kenya

## TL;DR

A radio program in Kenya helped young adolescents and their parents discuss gender and sexual health, improving communication and awareness in a low-income urban area.

## Contribution

The study introduces a radio-based intervention to address gender and SRH knowledge gaps among young adolescents in informal settlements.

## Key findings

- The radio program improved communication between adolescents and parents on SRH topics.
- Participants reported increased awareness of gender and SRH issues after the program.
- Radio was seen as an effective, low-cost platform for discussing sensitive health topics openly.

## Abstract

Radio programs have been used to broadcast health information across Africa and beyond. However, there has been limited focus on radio programming targeting young adolescents (aged 10 – 14) with gender and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information. An increasing body of evidence indicates a need to provide young individuals with accurate and easily accessible gender and SRH information to equip them to make well-informed choices about their SRH.

We developed an engaging and educative seven-session radio show, which featured skits and guest speakers. A local radio station in Kenya broadcasted the show as a weekly episode over seven consecutive weeks. The main objective of the show was to improve young adolescents’ SRH knowledge, foster equitable gender norms, and enhance parent-adolescent relationships. To gauge perceptions about the radio program, we conducted in-depth interviews with a purposeful sample of 17 parents and 20 adolescents aged 12—14 years living in an informal settlement in Nairobi and who had participated in (or listened in on) at least three of the sessions; the radio manager and program presenter.

Both parents and adolescents indicated that they felt more connected to each other after listening to the program and this enhanced communication, especially on SRH issues. Resulting from the radio program, both adolescents and parents expressed greater awareness of gender and adolescent SRH issues, which were rarely discussed in detail in open forums in their context prior to the radio program. They recommended that such radio programs run regularly as they provide a platform where sensitive issues about adolescent health can be shared and discussed openly, allowing for both adolescent and community participation.

Radio programming was perceived as a good platform for knowledge transfer and discussions about gender norms and SRH among young adolescents. However, messages should be designed to resonate with a diverse audience, as radio listenership will not only be limited to the target population.

Gender norms—acceptable and appropriate behaviors for men/boys and women/girls in a given community—are major drivers of health and wellbeing with strong implications for young people’s sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and behaviors. As young people transition through adolescence and adopt societal beliefs and systems, gender differences between boys and girls begin to manifest with far-reaching implications. Thus, interventions promoting equitable gender norms at an early age are essential in creating equitable societies and ensuring young people’s safe transition to adulthood. We undertook this study to explore adolescents' and their parents’ perspectives about a radio program (STaRS radio program) targeting young adolescents with gender and SRH information in an informal settlement in Nairobi. We interviewed 20 adolescents aged 12–14 years and 17 parents who had listened to at least three sessions of the radio program. The participants found the radio program acceptable and found it a useful platform for knowledge transfer and open discussions about gender and young people’s SRH. Additionally, the program elicited gender and SRH discussions between young people and their parents, which in turn enhanced parent–child relationships. For both adolescents and parents, the content of the program, which was holistic, inclusive, and collaborative, created an avenue to challenge inequitable gender norms. We conclude that radio programs can serve as low-cost interventions to reach young adolescents with gender and SRH information.