Approximately 90% of the population can speak Nepali; however, access may have been limited among minor ethnic groups depending on their level of education and exposure to life beyond their village. In 1997, 52% of women surveyed had heard at least 1 component of the RCP, which increased to 60% of respondents in 1999. Among those exposed to the RCP, 2/3 of the women at each survey period reported hearing all 4 of the radio programmes or spots.

It has been determined that "women frequently speak to other women during the course of their daily routine about issues related to fertility & contraceptive use where they learn about others' experiences with particular contraceptives". Increased spousal communication about family planning was evident in addition to an increase in communication between peers. The number of women who had not discussed family planning with another woman in their village decreased from 37% in 1997 to 20 % in 1999.

Family Planning knowledge was higher among women exposed directly to the RCP & they knew where modern contraceptives could be found. Interviews with those who had indirect exposure to programme content had more knowledge of Family Planning issues than those who had no exposure to the RCP.

Both direct & indirect exposure to the RCP resulted in a positive attitude toward Family Planning. Again, women who were indirectly exposed (especially those who were older & already had large families) to the programme were inclined to a more positive attitude to modern contraception than those who were not exposed in any way.

The evaluation indicated strong evidence that exposure to the RCP was associated with contraceptive use by previous non-users & the continuation of contraceptive use among prior users. Those using modern methods of contraception as a result of the programme were seen as modeling positive behaviour toward Family Planning, influencing their peers. In 1997, 38% of survey respondents reported using a modern contraceptive method with an increase to 47% in 1999. Women who recalled hearing the RCP were significantly more likely than women not exposed to the RCP to report current use of a modern contraceptive method.

Interactions Between Mass-mediated and Interpersonal Communication and Their Effect on Contraceptive Use in Rurual Nepal: A report by Marc Boulay, JHUCCP; provided direct to The Communication Initiative.