Experiences of the beneficiaries of Interactive Popular Theatre (IPT): a qualitative study on the experiences of the beneficiaries of IPT as a part of BRAC CST program on COVID-19 prevention at Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Ramu & Chakoria upazila in Bangladesh

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing across the globe as well in Bangladesh which spreads very fast in human contact. To prevent this disease from spreading, we need to follow certain guidelines and some behavioral modifications which need a conscious effort from all of us. Aiming to that, BRAC is conducting a community-based CST program in six sub-districts of Cox’s Bazar. Interactive Popular Theater (IPT) is one of the components among other interventions of the CST program like handwashing stations, mask-wearing, social distancing and miking. IPT incorporates awareness messages regarding COVID-19, cervical cancer and other social issues into it. The focus was COVID-19 preventive messages while cervical cancer also bears great importance as well. IPT transfers knowledge to its audience through entertainment like singing, dancing and acting. This study looked into the experiences of the beneficiaries, from their perspective. Our study investigated their feeling about IPT. This study wanted to know whether the IPT was entertaining, the reason for liking or disliking it, they got benefitted or learned new things. Knowledge gained from the IPT and their application in real life was also a topic of interest. All the respondents reported an overall good experience with IPT. The reason for expressing satisfaction with the IPT is learning new knowledge. The study also found out the daily applications of these messages in their life which mean, there are positive behavioral changes have been noticed like adopting wearing masks and handwashing as habits. As this kind of intervention is very new in our country, we need more research in this field from different perspectives. The use of IPT also has a great impact on building people’s awareness and understanding. It could be a great tool and might be used to educate the common people in Bangladesh on a larger scale.