Meta-Analysis of Radio Drama Impact on Child Labour Perceptions in Burkina Faso's Cotton Sector: A Quasi-Experimental Synthesis

{ "background": "Child labour in Burkina Faso's cotton sector remains a persistent challenge. Radio drama serials have been deployed as an intervention to shift community perceptions, yet evidence of their efficacy is fragmented across multiple quasi-experimental studies.", "purpose and objectives": "This meta-analysis synthesises quantitative evidence from quasi-experimental studies to estimate the pooled effect of radio drama interventions on perceptions of child labour in the Boucle du Mouhoun region.", "methodology": "A systematic search identified relevant studies employing pre-post, control group designs. A random-effects model was used to pool standardised mean difference (SMD) effect sizes. The primary model was \\θ̂ = \∑i=1ᵏ wi \ / \∑i=1ᵏ wi, where wi = 1/(vᵢ + \τ²). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, and publication bias was evaluated via Egger's test.", "findings": "The pooled analysis of seven studies (total n=2,850) indicates a statistically significant, positive effect (SMD = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.28 to 0.56). This corresponds to an approximate 18 percentage point increase in the proportion of listeners expressing negative perceptions of child labour. The I² statistic of 65% suggests substantial heterogeneity, partially explained by broadcast duration.", "conclusion": "Radio drama serials are an effective medium for shifting perceptions against child labour in this agricultural context. The effect, while moderate, is robust across studies.", "recommendations": "Programme designers should integrate radio dramas with complementary community-led actions. Future interventions should standardise outcome measurement and consider longer broadcast periods to enhance impact.", "key words": "meta-analysis, child labour, radio drama, social norms, agriculture, Burkina Faso, quasi-experimental", "contribution statement": "This study provides the first quantitative synthesis of