These series of longtitudinal evaluations are designed to assess both the individual and social contexts impacting attitudes and behaviour. A number of research techniques were used to ascertain exposure to Soul City and the impact of the campaign. These techniques included surveys (200 respondents each from 4 sites), focus groups, and in-depth interviews. The latter involved discussions with key role players in each of the communities, including health workers; representatives of political, civic, youth and women's organisations; teachers; representatives of community police forums; local government councillors; and traditional healers. A baseline study was conducted in August 1997, prior to Soul City III, followed by a post-production evaluation in November 1997.

61% of all respondents were exposed to the Soul City media. The television programme was extremely popular and reached nearly 2 million people every week: 57% of TV viewers saw Soul City TV. In addition, 41% of radio listeners heard Soul City radio and 37% of newspapers readers saw the Soul City booklets.

The entertainment value of the Soul City programmes is such that people will often watch them/listen to them in a social setting that encourages dialogue around the highlighted smoking issue. "Over half of those who accessed Soul City discussed it afterwards with friends, family or at school."

Before the TB-related Soul City episodes, more respondents with formal education felt they were at risk than those with no formal education. This pattern was reversed after the Soul City episodes were aired. Results also showed improved knowledge regarding TB symptoms and treatment. The survey revealed that knowledge of TB remained high and that there was an increasing level of knowledge from Soul City II to Soul City III. Although the effect of Soul City specifically in achieving this increase was not clearly apparent, access to media generally seemed to be a significant factor. In the Soul City II evaluation, 92% of respondents had heard about TB. This figure rose to 98% in the evaluation of Soul City III.

TB carries with it misconceptions about the type of people who may contract the disease and also its contagious nature. After the Soul City series, people understood that TB is not just a lower-class disease and that, if treatments are ongoing, TB is no longer contagious. "These misconceptions were reduced by 12% after Soul City."

This evaluation indicates that increased knowledge of the importance of continuing treatment for TB (even though the recipient feels better) will be a crucial ongoing practice to help to curb the spread of TB.

Soul City Series Two and Series Three Evaluations.