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Research
& Reports

    Over the years, we have documented our experiences and processes that precede development of communication strategies. If you are interested in any of these subjects, please contact us.

Askline 2417 6128 - a tele-counselling service for young people received over 10,000 calls since its inception. The calls were documented and regularly analysed to observe patterns, and identify issues concerning young people.

    Analysis of calls received on the Askline

    (1999 - 2005)

In the area of HIV/ AIDS awareness, we have devised a number of different methods to reach out to various groups practicing high-risk behaviour.
We share here some strategies developed by us to reach out to school/college going, as well as non-school going rural youth.

    Strategies for HIV/AIDS awareness for young people:
    Thoughtshop Foundation's experiences between 1995-2002

    (March 2002)

Gyaner Alo Zindabad was aired on AIR FM every Sunday from the April to June 2001. This was a 12-episode radio programme in Bengali, of half an hour duration targeted at young people to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS.
Listeners were offered the additional service of using the Thoughtshop Foundation help line Askline 2417 6128 where they could call and clarify their doubts and questions.
Over 350 calls were received during this period.

    Analysis of phone calls on HIV/AIDS received following Gyaner Alo Zindabad, a 12 Episode radio programme

    (April - June 2001)

This field research was conducted by Thoughtshop Foundation for Save the Children, UK. Our team traveled to the worst affected areas in the flood ravaged districts and selected 25 individuals and organisations amongst the many heroes to be awarded certificates of honour.
The stories of these simple villagers who had risked their lives were highlighted and created an inspirational atmosphere to discuss flood relief operations in a constructive manner.

    Field Research to identify local people and organisations who took exemplary initiative during the West Bengal floods of 2000 in the districts of Nadia and North 24 Parganas

    (February 2001)

This research was conducted in six districts of West Bengal and explored issues such as aspirations, role models, sex and sexuality, relationships, contraceptives and HIV/AIDS. Group discussions and workshops were the methodology used to discover knowledge levels, attitudes and beliefs.

    Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of adolescent boys in the context of reproductive health, West Bengal

    (May 1997 - January 1999)

This report documents a four week project that involved creation of "innovative" Inter Personal Communication material to be used by government health workers to create awareness and bring about behaviour change on issues related to the status of women; maternal mortality and violence against women.

    Development of aids to reduce maternal mortality and violence against women : A UNICEF and Government of Bangladesh Project

    (May 1999)

This research was conducted in Calcutta in association with Praajak, Development Society.The objective of the field research was to understand the lifestyle, attitudes, beliefs and practices of men who have sex with men, in the context of sexual health and HIV/AIDS. This understanding was used to develop behaviour change communication material for the target group.

    Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of males who have sex with males

    (May 1998)

The following case studies were documented at Pan Himalayan Grassroots Development Foundation a voluntary organisation involved with holistic mountain development in the Kumaon Himalayas since 1992.The stories of these villagers give us an insight into the impact, working with Grassroots has had on their lives.

    Case studies of men and women working in micro enterprises in the Kumaon hills of Uttaranchal

    (November 1998)

This research was conducted in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal in association with Child in Need Institute.The objective of the field research was to understand the lifestyle, attitudes, beliefs and practices of women (including pregnant women), men and mothers-in-law living in these villages, in the context of pregnancy, delivery, child health and family spacing. This understanding was used to develop behaviour change communication material for the target group.

    Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of rural men and women in the context of mother and child /reproductive health

    (July - September 1998)

The field research involved testing folk symbols in the districts of Malda, Uttar Dinajpur and Dakhin Dinajpur.
The research explored rural peoples understanding and perception of these symbols.

    Testing folk symbols in rural West Bengal

    (June 1997)

This research was conducted in six districts of West Bengal and explored issues such as sex and sexuality, relationships, contraceptives and HIV/AIDS. Group discussions and workshops were the methodology used to discover knowledge levels, attitudes and beliefs.

    Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of non school going adolescent girls in the context of reproductive health, West Bengal

    (May 1996 - March 1997)

This report documents the first of a series of workshops with rural adolescent girls where we tested different approaches and methods to reach out to rural adolescent girls and develop a comprehensive package on reproductive health education. The final package called the Champa Kit was developed a year later. It comprised of five modules using flipcharts, games and models.

    Development of Reproductive health package Champa

    (May 1996 - March 1997)

Conducted by Thoughtshop Foundation in association with AIMS Research, Kolkata for DFID.
The study was conducted among young people in the age group of 12 to 19 years. Both school-goers and non school-goers, from urban, peri-urban and rural areas of West Bengal were covered.
The study involved focus group discussions, key informant interviews with the target population's influencers and an institutional analysis of the sexual health services available to the target population.

    Needs Assessment Study for a Young People's Sexual Health Project in West Bengal

    (March - April 1997)

The ASK column received a total of over 2000 letters, an overwhelming majority of which were in English. Among these 55% came from Calcutta followed by Burdwan, North 24 Parganas and other districts. A significant number of letters came from other states like Bihar, Orissa, Tripura and Madhya Pradesh. 53% of the letter writers were in the age group of 16 to 20 years followed by those in the 21 to 25 years and up to 15 years age groups respectively. A detailed analysis of the content of the letters is available.

    Analysis of letters received by the ASK Columns

    (March 1995 - June 1996)

This paper is about people' s participation - about people's right to share in decisions that affect their lives and the life of the community they live in.

    Because People Matter

    (June 1993)
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