Evaluation of Changing the Scripts Intervention in Nigeria

Summary

The Center on Gender Equity and Health is evaluating a multimedia social and behavior change (SBC) intervention in Kano and Kaduna states in Nigeria to assess its impact, cost-efficiency and how it works. The intervention, led by BBC Media Action, uses radio, TV, other media, community outreach and SBC approaches to increase women's and couples' ability to make and act on reproductive and family planning decisions. Over a three-year period (2025- 2028), we will use a mixed-methods prospective longitudinal cohort study design to meet the research objectives. This includes estimating the impact of the intervention on use and intent to use modern contraception (alone, when combined with other family planning programs, and among non-users), exploring the pathways through which the intervention increases contraceptive use, estimating the cost-efficiency of the intervention and, evaluating the sustainability of the intervention. Data will be collected from three states - Kano and Kaduna (intervention states) and Nasarawa (comparison state). Through this evaluation, we aim to contribute to the family planning and mass media SBC fields by strengthening the evidence on the impact of a multimedia SBC intervention as well as the additional impact of combining the intervention with family planning service delivery interventions.

Conditions

• Unintended Pregnancy Prevention

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Multimedia (BBC MA) intervention: Changing the Script in Nigeria

Led BBC Media Action (BBC MA) and implemented in collaboration with multiple partners, the intervention will create an integrated "story world" designed to shift knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs, spark conversations, and reshape social norms around family planning or child spacing. The aim is to empower women and couples to make and act on informed family planning/child spacing decisions, ultimately increasing uptake and continuation of contraception. This will be achieved through a range of multimedia channels and formats, including TV drama, radio drama, radio discussion and call-in shows, public service announcements, social media, mobile IVR drama, and community engagement.

OTHER

Supply-side interventions (MSI)

Family planning services in the public sector in Nigeria supported by supply-side interventions implemented by Marie Stopes International (MSI) Nigeria. Supply-side interventions include health provider training on family planning service provision, supporting family planning commodity supply, and monitoring family planning service quality.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Oxford Policy Management

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• University of California, San Diego

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Erin Pearson, PhD, MPH · University of California, San Diego

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

15 Years

Max Age

44 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-04-13

Primary Completion

2028-05-30

Completion

2028-10-31

Countries

• Nigeria

Study Locations