Using indigenous puppetry for health communication: A case study from rural Dadu – Pakistan

A unique and cost-effective approach of indigenous form of puppetry reviving centuries-old local tradition was used for health behavior change communication in rural areas of selected districts of Pakistan where, otherwise, reach of mass-media is severely limited. Puppet shows contained specific messages on maternal and newborn health and targeted women and men in their reproductive ages. These messages were entwined into the stories and characterizations of puppet shows. Shows were held in several villages [each of around 200 to 300 households], mostly in houses of local residence that could accommodate a sizeable audience.

 A randomized study was conducted in two villages to assess the effectiveness of the puppet shows in one of the Project districts – Dadu of Sindh Province – through a structured-questionnaire administered with the intervention group [people who had come to attend the shows] and with the controlled group [people who lived in the same villages but had not come to watch the show]. In total, 327 questionnaires were filled providing information regarding level of knowledge and awareness on the issues of antenatal care, birth preparedness, breastfeeding, and child nutrition. The data collected from the study was then used to assess the effectiveness of the activity and to illustrate differences between the intervention and control groups.

 The paper, besides describing the intervention, presents the findings from the study. The paper concludes that puppetry can be an effective means for health communication in areas that cannot be reached by modern technology besides being cost-effective, and culturally relevant.