HAYDEE LEMUS KAREN STEELE PSI PASMO/GUATEMALA International SBCC Summit, 2016 HC3 Project, Webinar 10: Gender Transformative Approaches and SBCC GIVING DATA WINGS: GIVING DATA WINGS: using theater as a medium for presenting quantitative research findings. A health communication FP program in Guatemala Supporting International Family Planning Organizations (SIPFO) Program 5-year USAID funded project, USAID|PlanFam in Guatemala, C.A. Partners PSI PASMO/Guatemala Goal Support the Ministry of Health in reducing maternal mortality and chronic malnutrition through increasing the voluntary use for modern FP contraceptives and the provision of quality FP services BACKGROUND PSI PASMO routinely conducts large-scale studies to learn about target audiences and the behavior change process. In-depth knowledge of barriers and motivations faced when making decisions about fertility. Population-based FP study (TRaC) among 1633 women and men in six departments of the Guatemalan Western highlands, predominantly indigenous region with high maternal/infant mortality and limited access to health services, conducted in 2013. FINDINGS: 49% of women and 53% of men reported using some form of FP. Couples were more likely to use FP if they knew a source for methods and discussed FP with their partner. Positive perceptions of health services were positively associated with FP. Harmful beliefs and norms (i.e., acceptability of partner violence due to covert use) were negatively associated with FP use. BACKGROUND Communicating study findings to program stakeholders in an engaging, accessible, and useful way is often challenging. Developing a story-based theater approach to disseminate research results to an audience of key stakeholders and donors. Theater was chosen as a channel to convey results and personalize findings: resonate with the audience. Filming process of theater play to convey results with health providers, civil society, and community. JUSTIFICATION Why using theater as a mean to present results? CONVERTING DATA TO A STORYBOARD Engaged researchers, communication officers, writers and community actors CAPTURING BEHAVIORAL DETERMINANTS Self-efficacy, social norms, locus of control, attitudes Engaging storyline and dialogue THEATER PRESENTATION, FILMING PROCESS, DISSEMINATION OF FILMS Process Actors from the study area and of Mayan descent. Dissemination of films: September 2015 to date.METHODS 1. Converting data to a storyboard 2. Capturing behavioral determinants self-efficacy, social norms, locus of control, attitudes 3. Theater presentation, filming process, dissemination of results Theater presentation 3.A Dissemination of results Dissemination of results with mothers from rural areas attending a health service STORY 1: Challenges of living without family planning Giving back research results in a friendly, logical and comprehensible manner but not only statistics 3.B Dissemination of results Dissemination of results with auxiliary nurse students (health providers) These films constitute key communication tools for education purposes while in health facilities Pre-service auxiliary nurse STORY 2: Exercising our right to family planning Giving back research results in a friendly, logical and comprehensible manner but not only statistics 3.C Dissemination of results Dissemination of results with youth from rural areas (high school) Teenagers were excited about the story and followed the film with expectancy until it ended Educator STORY 3: Adolescence full of questions without answers Giving back research results in a friendly, logical and comprehensible manner but not only statistics RESULTS The storyline centered on the contrast between the womens lives and how FP transverses lifes circumstances, decisions, and opportunities. Two population archetypes. The play helps analyze fears related to FP, associated with social norms, customs, and machismo. It contrasts the life of persons using and not using FP. It presents the story of a teenage couple and pregnancy in teenagers. Films were reproduced and disseminated to broader audiences. Strategy of short films portrays plots that integrate research findings and serve as SBCC tools accompanied with interpretative discussion guides. RESULTS Using an innovative mechanism to present research findings, through theater and film, PASMO has developed evidence- based SBCC materials capturing key barriers to and motivations for family planning adoption. Using an innovative mechanism to present research findings, through theater and film, PASMO has developed evidence- based SBCC materials capturing key barriers to and motivations for family planning adoption. CONCLUSIONS Theater and short films allows for a broad dissemination to several key stakeholders and community level. Theater and short films allows for a broad dissemination to several key stakeholders and community level. CONCLUSIONS Contact for questions: Haydee Lemus, Communications Manager, Karen Steele, Corporate Services & Metrics Director, PSI PASMO/Guatemala