With less that 40% of the population in Bangladesh having access to basic health and 75% of pregnant women not receiving antenatal care, improvements in family health are well needed. Shabuj Shathi (The Green Friend) and Shabuj Chhaya (The Green Shadow), two 13-episode Entertainment Education (EE) television serial dramas recently produced by the Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs (BCCP), aimed to address this issue. Each serial weaves in health topics with a compelling storyline to yield popular, educational drama.

According to formal evaluation research the drama serials were both successful in influencing audience attitudes and behaviours related to health. 90% of the viewers surveyed preferring the drama to any other TV programmes. A national survey of 7,200 men and women in rural and urban areas revealed a high level of health knowledge among those who were exposed to the dramas, compared to those who were not (59% vs. 23%). The quiz questions at the end of each episode reinforced messages and sparked further reflection by viewers on select health topics. As a result of the 13 episode Shabuj Chhaya, BCCP received an unprecedented 600,000 fan mail letters.

This paper presents summary impact data on both television serials and reflects on what makes the EE approach successful in these cases.

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