Radio wave

World Watch. 1992 Sep-Oct;5(5):5-7.

Abstract

PIP: In developing countries with high rates of poverty and illiteracy, radio is emerging as an excellent medium for delivering information on health issues, family planning, nutrition, and agricultural development. Since radio does not require wired electricity, it can reach remote rural populations. Surveys have found that between 50-75% of poor rural households in developing countries own radios, and the majority listen to educational radio at least once a week. A program that reaches the urban poor outside of Lima, Peru, has been instrumental in controlling the spread of cholera. A Bolivian station broadcasts 8 hours of literacy, health, agricultural, and cultural programming a day to an audience of more than 2 million Aymara Indians. Small village radio stations with a broadcast range of 15 miles can be established for under US$400 and can generally achieve sustainability through local fundraising events such as raffles. In many cases, listeners have become broadcasters at their local radio stations.

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture*
  • Communication
  • Demography
  • Developing Countries*
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Health Education*
  • Health Planning
  • Information Services*
  • Mass Media
  • Organization and Administration
  • Population
  • Population Characteristics
  • Radio*
  • Rural Population*
  • Sex Education*
  • Social Planning