6 - Theatre for Development: An Alternative Programme for Reproductive Health Communication in Urban Nigeria
Corresponding Author(s) : Charles Emeka Nwadigwe
African Sociological Review,
Vol. 16 No. 2 (2012): African Sociological Review
Abstract
Communication and public education is vital in reproductive health. It enables awareness of disease, emergent infections, safety and preventive measures. However, health communication programmes in urban Nigeria is faced with a lot of problems among which is the wrong choice of media channels which results in the message not reaching the targeted population. This paper explores the use of Theatre for Development (TfD) as an alternative and complementary medium for communicating reproductive health information to urban dwellers in Nigeria. Using some completed and ongoing health communication projects in Nigeria for illustration, the study seeks to open a forum for dialogue and debate and to draw the attention of policy makers and health workers to exploit the potentials of TfD in combating the challenges of healthcare in urban settings on the continent.
Keywords
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)BibTeX
- Abah, S.O. (1997). Performing life: Case Studies in the Practice of Theatre for Development, Zaria: Shekut Books.
- Action Health Inc. (2009). Meeting the Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of young People in Nigeria, Available at: www.actionhealthinc.org/publications/downloads/ srh_guide.pdf, Accessed August 16, 2011.
- Anedo, A. O. (2009). Taboos among the Igbo: violation and contemporary socio-cultural implications, Nka: Journal of Theatre and Cultural Studies, 1 (4), 93-102.
- Chapman, K. and Gordon, G. (1998). Reproductive health technologies and gender: is participation the key?, in: C. Sweetman (Ed.), gender and technology, Oxford: Oxfam GB, 34-44.
- Defleur, M.L. and Dennis, E.E. (1994). Understanding Mass Communication: A liberal Arts Perspective (5ᵗʰ Edition), Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
- Devito, J. A. (2002). Messages; Building interpersonal Communication Skills, Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
- Garcia, H. R. (2001). Word of wind: building bridges between health education and culture, Compas, 4, 14-16.
- George, I., and Frank-Briggs, A.( 2009). Sexual lifestyle of long-distance drivers in Port Harcourt metropolis, Port Harcourt Medical Journal, 3 (2), 140-144.
- Gumucio-Dagron, A. (1994). Popular Theatre, Lagos: UNICEF.
- Idoko, E.F. (2002). Theatre and eclecticism: the “Tandari” experience, Research in Drama Education, 7 (2), 169-178.
- Iorapuu, T.O. and Bamidele, L. (2004). TfD in children and women’s rights practice: implications for other interactive media, in: F. Osofisan (Ed.), Communicating Children and Women’s Rights Practice in Nigeria: Experiences from the field, Abuja: UNICEF, 10-17.
- Izugbara, C.O (2004). Notions of sex, sexuality and relationships among adolescent boys in rural southeastern Nigeria, Sex Education: Sexuality, Society and learning, 4, (1), 63-79.
- Izugbara, C.O. and Ukwayi, J.K. (2004). An intercept study of persons attending traditional birth homes in rural southeastern Nigeria, Culture, Health and Sexuality, 6 (2), 101-114.
- Jhingan, M. L. (2005). The Economics of Development and Planning, (38ᵗʰ Edition), Delhi: Vrinda Publications (P) Ltd.
- John, V. (2009). The Media of Mass Communication, New York: Pearson Inc.
- Kafewo, S. (2008). Using drama for school-based adolescent sexuality education in Zaria, Nigeria, Reproductive Health Matters, 16 (31), 202-210.
- Kang, M. and Quine, S. (2007). Young person’s concerns about sex: unsolicited questions to a teenage radio talkback programme over three years, Sex Education: Sexuality, Society and learning, 7, (4), 407-420.
- Keller, S.N. and Brown, J.D. (2002), Media interventions to promote responsible sexual behaviour, Journal of sex Research, 39, (1), 67-72.
- Komolafe, A.M. (2005). Sustaining theatre for development: the LASU experience, Nigerian Theatre Journal 8, (1), 227-249.
- Lawanson, T.O. (2006). Challenges of sustainability and urban development in Nigeria: reviewing the millennium development goals, Report submitted to Africa insight.
- Lyzun, K. and McMullen, A. (2009). ‘Prostate Man’, the ageing superhero: A unique approach to encouraging prostate health awareness among men over 50, Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 2 (1): 3-9.
- Mabogunje, A. (2002) Re-constructing the Nigerian city: the new policy on urban development and housing, Paper presented at a National Conference on the City in Nigeria, Ile Ife.
- Macharia, J.A. (2005). Communication of HIV/AIDS information: the role of language and culture in the spread of the pandemic in Kenya, Alore: ilorin Journal of Humanities 15, 104-123.
- Mbizvo, E. (2006). Theatre - a free for health promotion, The lancelot 38, (Supplement 1), 30-31.
- Mda, Z. (1993). When People Play People: Development Communication Through Theatre, London: Zed Books.
- Nwadigwe, C. E. (2001). Sustainable development communication: the TfD approach, ibom Journal of Social issues 6, (1), 68-84.
- Nwadigwe, C. E. (2007a). ‘Meet us at the other side of the river’: performance venue and community education among migrant fishermen in Nigeria, Research in Drama Education. 12 (1):65-77.
- Nwadigwe, C. E. (2007b). Unwilling brides: ‘phallic attack’ as a barrier to gender balance in higher education in Nigeria, Sex Education: Sexuality, Society and learning 7 (4), 351-369.
- Obadiegwu, C. C. (2004). Beyond the fourth Wall: Theatre at the frontier of Human Development, Awka: Penmark Publishers.
- Obafemi, O. (1999). Rekindling and redefining popular theatre aesthetics and praxis in Africa, The Performer: ilorin Journal of the Performing Arts 1, (2), 1-7.
- Obielozie, E. (2009). Renewing the face of the nation: of reveille to the folk theatre, Ama: Journal of Theatre and Cultural Studies 4 (1), 129-134.
- Odhiambo, J.C. (2005), Theatre for development in Kenya: interrogating the ethics of practice I, Research in Drama Education. 10 (2):189-199.
- Odi, C. O. (2008). Theatre in development communication discourse, Anyigba Journal of Arts and Humanities 5, 158-167.
- Ogunsuyi, S. (2002). Evolving participatory communication for national development in the 21ˢᵗ century, Theatre Experience: A Journal of Contemporary Theatre Practice 1, (1), 101-110.
- Onwuliri, F. (2000), The incidence of urinary tract infections in Jos, Humanity: Jos Journal of general Studies 2, (2), 156-165.
- Ordinioha, B. and Brisibe, S. (2009). Experiences and attitudes of young men towards abortion in a semi-urban community in Rivers State, Nigeria, Port Harcourt Medical Journal 3 (2):160-166.
- Rogers, E. and Shoemaker, F. (1971), Communication of innovations: A Cross-Cultural Approach, (2ⁿᵈ Edition), New York: The Free Press.
- Sternberg, P. (2000), Challenging machismo: promoting sexual and reproductive health with Nicaraguan men, in C. Sweetman (Ed.), gender in the 21st Century, Oxford, Oxfam GB.
- Strohl Systems (2009). The Need for Efficient Communications in Healthcare, Available at http://www.strohlsystems.com/software/files/Notifind/Notifind_Healthcare. pdf (Accessed May 26,2009).
- Umar, M.B. and Ogunranti, J. O. (2000). The concept of sexual hygiene, Humanity: Jos Journal of general Studies 2, (2), 143-155.
- World Health Organisation (2004). Key issues in the implementation of programmes for adolescent sexual and reproductive health, Available at http//www.who.int/child-adolescent-health/New_Publications/ADH/WHO_FCH_CAH_04.3.pdf (Accessed October 31, 2010)
- UNESCO and UNAIDS (2000), Migrant populations and Hiv/AiDS – the development and implementation of programmes: theory, methodology and practice, 2, UNAIDS Best Practice – Key Material. Available at http://www.ippfwhr.org/ publications/serial_article_e.asp. (Accessed Oct. 31, 2010).
References
Abah, S.O. (1997). Performing life: Case Studies in the Practice of Theatre for Development, Zaria: Shekut Books.
Action Health Inc. (2009). Meeting the Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of young People in Nigeria, Available at: www.actionhealthinc.org/publications/downloads/ srh_guide.pdf, Accessed August 16, 2011.
Anedo, A. O. (2009). Taboos among the Igbo: violation and contemporary socio-cultural implications, Nka: Journal of Theatre and Cultural Studies, 1 (4), 93-102.
Chapman, K. and Gordon, G. (1998). Reproductive health technologies and gender: is participation the key?, in: C. Sweetman (Ed.), gender and technology, Oxford: Oxfam GB, 34-44.
Defleur, M.L. and Dennis, E.E. (1994). Understanding Mass Communication: A liberal Arts Perspective (5ᵗʰ Edition), Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Devito, J. A. (2002). Messages; Building interpersonal Communication Skills, Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Garcia, H. R. (2001). Word of wind: building bridges between health education and culture, Compas, 4, 14-16.
George, I., and Frank-Briggs, A.( 2009). Sexual lifestyle of long-distance drivers in Port Harcourt metropolis, Port Harcourt Medical Journal, 3 (2), 140-144.
Gumucio-Dagron, A. (1994). Popular Theatre, Lagos: UNICEF.
Idoko, E.F. (2002). Theatre and eclecticism: the “Tandari” experience, Research in Drama Education, 7 (2), 169-178.
Iorapuu, T.O. and Bamidele, L. (2004). TfD in children and women’s rights practice: implications for other interactive media, in: F. Osofisan (Ed.), Communicating Children and Women’s Rights Practice in Nigeria: Experiences from the field, Abuja: UNICEF, 10-17.
Izugbara, C.O (2004). Notions of sex, sexuality and relationships among adolescent boys in rural southeastern Nigeria, Sex Education: Sexuality, Society and learning, 4, (1), 63-79.
Izugbara, C.O. and Ukwayi, J.K. (2004). An intercept study of persons attending traditional birth homes in rural southeastern Nigeria, Culture, Health and Sexuality, 6 (2), 101-114.
Jhingan, M. L. (2005). The Economics of Development and Planning, (38ᵗʰ Edition), Delhi: Vrinda Publications (P) Ltd.
John, V. (2009). The Media of Mass Communication, New York: Pearson Inc.
Kafewo, S. (2008). Using drama for school-based adolescent sexuality education in Zaria, Nigeria, Reproductive Health Matters, 16 (31), 202-210.
Kang, M. and Quine, S. (2007). Young person’s concerns about sex: unsolicited questions to a teenage radio talkback programme over three years, Sex Education: Sexuality, Society and learning, 7, (4), 407-420.
Keller, S.N. and Brown, J.D. (2002), Media interventions to promote responsible sexual behaviour, Journal of sex Research, 39, (1), 67-72.
Komolafe, A.M. (2005). Sustaining theatre for development: the LASU experience, Nigerian Theatre Journal 8, (1), 227-249.
Lawanson, T.O. (2006). Challenges of sustainability and urban development in Nigeria: reviewing the millennium development goals, Report submitted to Africa insight.
Lyzun, K. and McMullen, A. (2009). ‘Prostate Man’, the ageing superhero: A unique approach to encouraging prostate health awareness among men over 50, Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 2 (1): 3-9.
Mabogunje, A. (2002) Re-constructing the Nigerian city: the new policy on urban development and housing, Paper presented at a National Conference on the City in Nigeria, Ile Ife.
Macharia, J.A. (2005). Communication of HIV/AIDS information: the role of language and culture in the spread of the pandemic in Kenya, Alore: ilorin Journal of Humanities 15, 104-123.
Mbizvo, E. (2006). Theatre - a free for health promotion, The lancelot 38, (Supplement 1), 30-31.
Mda, Z. (1993). When People Play People: Development Communication Through Theatre, London: Zed Books.
Nwadigwe, C. E. (2001). Sustainable development communication: the TfD approach, ibom Journal of Social issues 6, (1), 68-84.
Nwadigwe, C. E. (2007a). ‘Meet us at the other side of the river’: performance venue and community education among migrant fishermen in Nigeria, Research in Drama Education. 12 (1):65-77.
Nwadigwe, C. E. (2007b). Unwilling brides: ‘phallic attack’ as a barrier to gender balance in higher education in Nigeria, Sex Education: Sexuality, Society and learning 7 (4), 351-369.
Obadiegwu, C. C. (2004). Beyond the fourth Wall: Theatre at the frontier of Human Development, Awka: Penmark Publishers.
Obafemi, O. (1999). Rekindling and redefining popular theatre aesthetics and praxis in Africa, The Performer: ilorin Journal of the Performing Arts 1, (2), 1-7.
Obielozie, E. (2009). Renewing the face of the nation: of reveille to the folk theatre, Ama: Journal of Theatre and Cultural Studies 4 (1), 129-134.
Odhiambo, J.C. (2005), Theatre for development in Kenya: interrogating the ethics of practice I, Research in Drama Education. 10 (2):189-199.
Odi, C. O. (2008). Theatre in development communication discourse, Anyigba Journal of Arts and Humanities 5, 158-167.
Ogunsuyi, S. (2002). Evolving participatory communication for national development in the 21ˢᵗ century, Theatre Experience: A Journal of Contemporary Theatre Practice 1, (1), 101-110.
Onwuliri, F. (2000), The incidence of urinary tract infections in Jos, Humanity: Jos Journal of general Studies 2, (2), 156-165.
Ordinioha, B. and Brisibe, S. (2009). Experiences and attitudes of young men towards abortion in a semi-urban community in Rivers State, Nigeria, Port Harcourt Medical Journal 3 (2):160-166.
Rogers, E. and Shoemaker, F. (1971), Communication of innovations: A Cross-Cultural Approach, (2ⁿᵈ Edition), New York: The Free Press.
Sternberg, P. (2000), Challenging machismo: promoting sexual and reproductive health with Nicaraguan men, in C. Sweetman (Ed.), gender in the 21st Century, Oxford, Oxfam GB.
Strohl Systems (2009). The Need for Efficient Communications in Healthcare, Available at http://www.strohlsystems.com/software/files/Notifind/Notifind_Healthcare. pdf (Accessed May 26,2009).
Umar, M.B. and Ogunranti, J. O. (2000). The concept of sexual hygiene, Humanity: Jos Journal of general Studies 2, (2), 143-155.
World Health Organisation (2004). Key issues in the implementation of programmes for adolescent sexual and reproductive health, Available at http//www.who.int/child-adolescent-health/New_Publications/ADH/WHO_FCH_CAH_04.3.pdf (Accessed October 31, 2010)
UNESCO and UNAIDS (2000), Migrant populations and Hiv/AiDS – the development and implementation of programmes: theory, methodology and practice, 2, UNAIDS Best Practice – Key Material. Available at http://www.ippfwhr.org/ publications/serial_article_e.asp. (Accessed Oct. 31, 2010).