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November 29, 2007

Today, North Carolina has the fastest growing Latina population in the United States — approximately 5 percent of the entire population of the state. Most of North Carolina’s Latinas are recent immigrants from Mexico, while others have come from Puerto Rico and Central and South America.

According to a 2005 Ipas report, "The sexual and reproductive health of Latinas in North Carolina: A five county needs assessment," variability of contraceptive use, unplanned pregnancies, high rate of adolescent pregnancies and domestic violence are priorities in the state’s Latina community. Since the report’s publication, Ipas has responded to key informants’ recommendations, including providing cultural- and language-appropriate educational materials. Recently, Ipas adapted Intersexiones, a radio show developed in Mexico in 2004, to address topics important to the sexual and reproductive health of Latinas in North Carolina. 

Specifically, Ipas chose three of the Intersexiones shows and adapted them to reflect Latina reproductive health realities in North Carolina. “Relationship Violence,” “Emergency Contraception” and “Adolescents and Contraceptive Use” will be aired on WCOM 103.5 FM, courtesy of La Salud Familiar, on December 3, 10 and 17 from 12-1 p.m. After each show has aired, focus groups will be conducted at El Centro Latino in Carrboro to obtain feedback from the community.  

The youth-oriented radio program Intersexiones was originally produced by the Mexican nonprofit organization Mujeres en Frecuencia in collaboration with the Mexican Foundation for Family Planning (MEXFAM), Ipas Mexico and Population Council. The weekly show was broadcast live from April to December 2004 and received very positive feedback.

“We had 20 to 25 calls each time, including a call from a dad who listened to the show with his 17-year-old daughter,” said Lurdes Barbosa, one of the hosts of the show and director of Mujeres en Frecuencia. “The show helped him talk to his daughter about sexuality topics. We really encouraged teachers, parents or anyone who interacts with adolescents to listen to the series.”

Those involved hope the North Carolina broadcasts will provoke the same positive response.

“Latinas prefer to get their information from radio and television,” said Tania Connaughton-Espino, Ipas’s U.S. program associate and coordinator for its Latina Sexual and Reproductive Health Initiative. “These radio shows are a great mix of interviews, music and stories and are a fun way to transmit important information.”

For more information, contact:
Kirsten Sherk
Senior Associate, Media Relations
e-mail: sherkk@ipas.org
phone: 919.960.5612
fax: 919.929.0258