Radio programming was perceived as a good platform for knowledge transfer and discussions about gender norms and SRH among young adolescents, and enhanced parent-adolescent communication on SRH issues in a low-income urban Kenyan setting.
Key Findings
Results
Both parents and adolescents reported feeling more connected to each other after listening to the radio program, which enhanced communication especially on SRH issues.
Finding based on in-depth interviews with 17 parents and 20 adolescents aged 12-14 years
Participants lived in an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya
All participants had listened to at least three of the seven sessions
Improved parent-adolescent communication on SRH issues was one of the main objectives of the radio show
This was a qualitative study; findings reflect perceived changes rather than measured behavioral outcomes
Results
Both adolescents and parents expressed greater awareness of gender and adolescent SRH issues following the radio program, topics that were rarely discussed in detail in open forums prior to the program.
Participants described these topics as rarely discussed 'in detail in open forums in their context prior to the radio program'
The program featured skits and guest speakers across seven weekly episodes
Increased awareness was reported by both adolescent and parent participant groups
The radio program targeted young adolescents aged 10-14, a group with limited prior access to such programming
Data collected via in-depth interviews with a purposeful sample of 17 parents and 20 adolescents, the radio manager, and the program presenter
Results
Participants recommended that radio programs addressing adolescent SRH and gender issues run regularly, as they provide a platform for open sharing and discussion of sensitive health topics.
Recommendation came from both parent and adolescent participants
Participants noted the programs 'allow for both adolescent and community participation'
The study was conducted in an informal settlement (low-income urban setting) in Nairobi
The format included a seven-session weekly broadcast over seven consecutive weeks on a local radio station
Methods
A seven-session radio show featuring skits and guest speakers was developed and broadcast weekly over seven consecutive weeks on a local Kenyan radio station to improve young adolescents' SRH knowledge, foster equitable gender norms, and enhance parent-adolescent relationships.
The target audience was young adolescents aged 10-14 years
The show used an engaging format combining skits and guest speakers
Broadcast was on a local radio station in Kenya
The program addressed three main objectives: SRH knowledge improvement, equitable gender norms, and parent-adolescent relationship enhancement
The study identified a gap in radio programming specifically targeting the 10-14 age group with gender and SRH content
Conclusions
Messages in radio programs targeting young adolescents should be designed to resonate with a diverse audience, as radio listenership will not be limited to the target population.
This recommendation emerged from the study's findings and participant feedback
Radio as a broadcast medium reaches beyond the intended target group
The study notes this as a key design consideration for future radio-based SRH interventions
The concern about diverse audiences reflects the open-access nature of radio broadcasting in community settings
What This Means
This research suggests that a seven-episode weekly radio program covering sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender topics can be an effective and well-received way to reach young adolescents (aged 10-14) and their parents in low-income urban communities in Kenya. The study involved in-depth interviews with 17 parents and 20 adolescents who had listened to at least three of the seven episodes, and found that both groups felt more connected to each other and reported improved communication about sensitive health topics that were rarely discussed openly before the program aired. The radio format—which included skits and guest speakers—was seen as accessible and engaging.
This research suggests that radio programming can serve as a community-friendly platform for sharing information about puberty, gender norms, and adolescent health in settings where these conversations are typically difficult to have. Participants from both generations expressed that they wanted such programs to continue regularly, indicating strong community acceptance of this approach to health education.
The study also highlights an important practical consideration: because radio reaches a broad audience beyond the intended target group, program designers should craft messages that are appropriate and meaningful for listeners of all ages and backgrounds. The findings are based on qualitative interviews rather than quantitative measurements, so they reflect participants' perceptions and self-reported experiences rather than objectively measured health or behavioral outcomes.
Maina B, Nyakangi V, Mbuthia M, Kabiru C. (2025). Using radio programming to reach young adolescents with gender and sexual health information in a low-income urban setting in Kenya.. Reproductive health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-025-01984-5