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Entertainment Education
Programs
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A storyteller tells the tale of a rich merchant and his only daughter - the pride and joy of his life. The two enjoy a special relationship of respect and understanding. The lovely lady is sought out by many suitors for her hand in marriage, but her father explains that the decision is entirely hers to make. A few months after her wedding to the man of her choice, she announces to her beloved father the wonderful news that he will soon become a grandfather. His jubilation is marred by the complications the young mother-to-be develops in the last months of her pregnancy... terrible headaches, vomiting, and swelling of the fingers and feet. As symptoms come and go, everyone reassures her these are normal signs associated with any pregnancy. One day her husband brings the news that his affairs call him away from her, that he must depart, but will return soon. Saddened at the idea of remaining alone at such a critical moment, she nonetheless shows courage and bids her husband a safe trip. Before leaving her, he gives her a ring as a memento of his love for her, but cannot slip it onto her finger. She dismisses the puffiness and tells him her hands will be back to their normal size in the morning.
Her situation does not improve. One night the headaches are
pounding, the vomiting is worse and the young woman goes into
convulsions. Alarmed, her lady in waiting rushes to get help
from the in-laws who resort to traditional teas and incense
and admonish all who suggest taking her to a hospital. "Her
husband is her guardian and no one else can decide to take
her," they argue. They are confident the tea and incense
will have their effect soon. Furious, the lady-in-waiting
rushes to get the father's help. Frightened, he arrives quickly
and carries his daughter to the hospital. She gives birth
to a baby girl, but does not survive to love and care for
her.
The storyteller, his face bathed in tears, reveals to his audience that he and the merchant are one and the same. This is his painful story which he vowed to tell over and over again to help others avoid a similar fate, to let them know that pregnancy is risky and that complications are not a normal part of the process. He wants to be certain that those who listen to him understand that complications are treatable. He pleads with his audience not to dismiss danger signs as normal side effects of pregnancy. Women who develop them must speak up and seek immediate care.
 In this photo, a JHU/CCP Program Officer (R) is visiting the home of a woman whose mother died in childbirth. |
The story told in this film is not all fiction: it is inspired by the realities of pregnancy and delivery in Morocco. Formative research was conducted in the Souissi Maternity Hospital in Rabat, among a sample of eclampsia cases and their family members. The video production team then visited a number of the women in their homes in various parts of Morocco and conducted in-depth interviews with them. The stories they and their relatives told were rewoven into the tale of the Merchant's Daughter. Thanks to a cast of well-known local actors, this film provokes a range of powerful emotions.
Bent Ettajer was critically acclaimed at the 1999 Global Awards Competition, organized by the New York Festivals to honor the best in health care communications worldwide. The 20-minute docudrama was awarded a Finalist Certificate in the category of Consumer: Film/Video.
Bent Ettajer was produced as part of the communication strategy developed to raise awareness of the magnitude of maternal mortality in Morocco. After an initial and intensified focus on official decision-makers and health care providers, the awareness raising efforts were increasingly oriented toward the general public, and specifically to women and their families.
In-depth interviews were conducted among women who had developed eclampsia during their pregnancy. They were identified while in the hospital and were then visited in their homes after discharge for more in-depth interviews that also included members of their families. Their testimonials were rewoven as the story told in this film.
A successful play was developed and toured the country in 1997. Its key communication objective was to increase the understanding that a maternal death can be prevented, that it is not God's will that the woman die. The focus of the play was mainly on the health center and the delays that often impede appropriate care.
 This poster was produced to promote the play 'Help Yourself and Heaven Will Help You'. |
Bent Ettajer follows the play and complements it by highlighting the complications that can kill a woman. It aims to help her and her family recognize the danger signs that necessitate immediate care. These signs are often dismissed as normal, although unpleasant, side effects of any pregnancy. The focus of the film is mainly on the home and the decision-making that often delays appropriate action.
As a result of discussions with a number of reputed OB/GYNs in Morocco, eclampsia was identified as one of the complications of pregnancy whose signs are least well recognized by women and their families. In addition, unlike hemorrhage, for example, which requires action be taken in an extremely brief period of time, eclampsia is a condition that, in most cases, does not require immediate emergency care. It is therefore possible to send messages to the population and know that they will have the time to act on the information.
The film was officially launched at a press conference at the Ministry of Health in Rabat. It will be shown in health centers, in mobile health clinics, in women's clubs, on long-distance bus lines, and possibly on television.
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