Rama and the Worm: A Performance-Based Approach to Health Promotion in Rural Indonesia

Bendrups, Dan; Stewart, Donald Edwin; Susilo, Joko

doi:10.1057/978-1-349-95284-7_9

Cited by 4 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…The production was filmed and presented to the participants in Bahasa Indonesia in video format. Further information on the development of the shadow puppetry, titled ‘Rama and the Worm’ (RATW) can be found in [ 20 ]. Figure 2 shows a still shot taken from RATW.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shadow Puppets and Neglected Diseases: Evaluating a Health Promotion Performance in Rural Indonesia

Kurscheid

Bendrups

Susilo

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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‘Rama and the Worm’ is a shadow puppet production targeting neglected diseases in Central Java. It is an entertainment-based intervention study to promote health by reducing the impact of parasitic diseases such as soil-transmitted helminths (STH). The study uses traditional Javanese shadow puppetry (wayang kulit) as a vehicle in village communities to disseminate health messages and promote behaviour change to prevent diseases caused, primarily, by inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene. The health education messages contained in the play, although using traditional characters and themes, required the creation of a completely new narrative script, using characters and plot lines familiar to the wayang kulit repertoire, but placing them in new situations that relate specifically to health promotion objectives. The intervention was piloted in a village in Central Java, Indonesia using a pre/post design with both qualitative and quantitative analysis. A total of 96 male and female villagers, aged between 7 and 87 years, provided both baseline and follow up data. Participant knowledge and behaviours related to gastrointestinal and helminth-related disease were assessed before and after the intervention through a questionnaire administered by interview. Results revealed statistically significant improvements in both knowledge (48.6% pre-intervention score vs. 62.8% post-intervention score, p < 0.001) and behaviour (77.4% vs. 80.6%, p = 0.004) related to gastrointestinal and helminth disease. Findings of the study indicate the wayang kulit performance is an effective health education tool. The results provide proof of concept with scaling up the next step forward. The wayang kulit production provides a significant additional component for an integrated, comprehensive approach to reduction and elimination of STH infection.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shadow Puppets and Neglected Diseases: Evaluating a Health Promotion Performance in Rural Indonesia

Kurscheid

Bendrups

Susilo

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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“…Despite this, it was evident that further work was required to promote the systematic use of the BALatrine [18]. Accordingly, we expanded the health education component to use traditional Javanese shadow puppet theatre, wayang kulit , as a resource to disseminate health messages surrounding hygiene and use of the BALatrine.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With one of our investigators (JS), a fifth-generation dhalang (puppet master) from Solo, Central Java, we had a unique opportunity to create a production that was culturally sensitive and appropriate for our intended audience. The resulting new work (see Video S1): ‘Rama and the Worm’ ( RATW ), available in a low-res English language version on YouTube at , or Bahasa Indonesia version at , was designed to combine both traditional Javanese and Western elements in a way that was both distinctive and attractive to a Javanese audience [18]. The title credit for the production is shown in Figure 1 below.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shadow Puppets and Neglected Diseases (2): A Qualitative Evaluation of a Health Promotion Performance in Rural Indonesia

Williams

Stewart

Bendrups

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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Performing arts used as a method of spreading health information dates back to the origins of storytelling. However, interventions in developing, non-Western countries typically utilize Western entertainment forms. This qualitative investigation assesses responses to an intervention designed around traditional Javanese shadow puppetry (wayang kulit). Semi-structured interviews provided in-depth responses from a sample (N = 12) of villagers. Responses analyzed both cross-case and within-case, focused on perceptions of the music and storyline, responses to the intervention, and the perceived appropriateness of wayang kulit for disseminating a health message. Wayang kulit was considered to be interesting and easy to remember, but concerns remained regarding the reliability of information provided through the drama. The fusion of traditional and modern music and story elements were perceived positively. Some participants were inspired to improve their hygiene practices, although the lack of motivation, or belief that they were unable to change was noted. The performance was generally received positively in terms of the nature of the intervention, the fusion of traditional and Western music and story elements, as well as the use of wayang kulit to spread health information. The study provides guidance for modifications to the production, prior to scaling up.

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“…Despite this, it was evident that further work was required to promote the systematic use of the BALatrine [17]. Accordingly, we expanded the health education component to use traditional Javanese shadow puppet theatre, wayang kulit, as a resource to disseminate health messages surrounding hygiene and use of the BALatrine.…”

Section: Study Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Accordingly, we expanded the health education component to use traditional Javanese shadow puppet theatre, wayang kulit, as a resource to disseminate health messages surrounding hygiene and use of the BALatrine. The resulting new work (see Figure 1): 'Rama and the Worm' (RATW), available in a low-res English language version on YouTube at https://youtu.be/AafNmmMlrvQ, or Bahasa Indonesia version at https://youtu.be/0-TEOOaTG0A, was designed to combine both traditional Javanese and western elements in a way that was both distinctive and attractive to a Javanese audience [17]. This qualitative study presents an appraisal of RATW by a cross section of villagers in Central Java, Indonesia, analysing data obtained from in-depth interviews with males and females across the age range.…”

Section: Study Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shadow Puppets and Neglected Diseases (2): A Qualitative Evaluation of a Health Promotion Performance in Rural Indonesia

Williams¹,

Stewart²,

Bendrups³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Performing arts used as a method of spreading health information dates back to the origins of storytelling. However, interventions in developing, non-Western countries typically utilise Western entertainment forms. This qualitative investigation assesses responses to an intervention designed around traditional Javanese shadow puppetry (wayang kulit). Semi-structured interviews provided in-depth responses from a sample (n=12) of villagers. Responses analysed both cross-case and within-case, focused on perceptions of the music and storyline, responses to the intervention, and perceived appropriateness of wayang kulit for disseminating a health message. Wayang kulit was considered to be interesting and easy to remember, but concerns remained regarding the reliability of information provided through the drama. The fusion of traditional and modern music and story elements were perceived positively. Some participants were inspired to improve their hygiene practices, although the lack of motivation, or belief that they were unable to change was noted. The performance was generally received positively in terms of the nature of the intervention, the fusion of traditional and Western music and story elements, as well as the use of wayang kulit to spread health information. The study provides guidance for modifications to the production, prior to scaling up.

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Rama and the Worm: A Performance-Based Approach to Health Promotion in Rural Indonesia

Cited by 4 publications

References 7 publications

Shadow Puppets and Neglected Diseases: Evaluating a Health Promotion Performance in Rural Indonesia

Shadow Puppets and Neglected Diseases: Evaluating a Health Promotion Performance in Rural Indonesia

Shadow Puppets and Neglected Diseases (2): A Qualitative Evaluation of a Health Promotion Performance in Rural Indonesia

Shadow Puppets and Neglected Diseases (2): A Qualitative Evaluation of a Health Promotion Performance in Rural Indonesia

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