The Role Of Communication In Maternal And Child Healthcare Outcomes: A Case Of Machakos County, Kenya

Type Thesis or Dissertation - Master Thesis
Title The Role Of Communication In Maternal And Child Healthcare Outcomes: A Case Of Machakos County, Kenya
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2015
URL http://journalism.uonbi.ac.ke/sites/default/files/chss/journalism/journalism/Dr Korir Draft 9​Semifinal-2.pdf
Abstract
This study sought to find out the role of communication in maternal and child healthcare outcomes in Machakos County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to (i) examine the basic levels of knowledge on maternal and child healthcare among women of reproductive age, (ii) identify the existing modes of communication between maternal and child healthcare providers and the women of reproductive age and finally, (iii) determine the effectiveness of various types of communication used in maternal and child health communication in Machakos County. The study used Social Cognitive Theory, Health Belief Model and the Uses and Gratification theories to explain perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, practices and behaviour change in maternal and child health. The research utilized mixed-methods design, which utilizes the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative data from respondents. Interviewer-guided questionnaires were used for the quantitative data while interviews were used for qualitative data. The study target population was of women of reproductive age between 15-44 years, with a sample size of three hundred respondents. A total of five interviewees were selected through purposive sampling technique for the in-depth interviews. From the findings, the researcher can categorically state that women of reproductive age in Machakos County were aware about maternal and child health care. Most women of reproductive age were in the age cohort of 20-24 and had attained at least secondary school level education and were therefore able to comprehend maternal and child healthcare matters communicated to them. The study established that there were existing modes of communication between maternal and child healthcare providers and the women of reproductive age, the most frequent being the use of healthcare workers (doctors and nurses) on one-on-one discussions. The respondents preferred this as healthcare workers took adequate time to interact with them, at any time or when necessary. From the study, it can be deduced that healthcare workers using one-on-one communication was the most effective mode of communication in maternal and child healthcare.

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