KNOWLEDGE AND HEALTH INFORMATION COMMUNICATION IN TANZANIA
Objective: To explore and identify gaps in knowledge and information communication at all levels of health delivery system in Tanzania. Methods: In-depth interviews and twelve Focus Group Discussions were conducted to capture information on the community knowledge on different health problems and th...
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Published in | East African journal of public health Vol. 4; no. 1; pp. 33 - 39 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Tanzania
East African Public Health Association
01.04.2007
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Objective: To explore and identify gaps in knowledge and information
communication at all levels of health delivery system in Tanzania.
Methods: In-depth interviews and twelve Focus Group Discussions were
conducted to capture information on the community knowledge on
different health problems and the health information communication
process. Interviews and discussions were also held with primary
schoolchildren, traditional healers, health facility workers and
district health management team members. Documentary review and
inventory of the available health education materials at community,
health facility and district levels, was made. Results: Major community
health and health-related problems included diseases (61.6%), lack of
potable water (36.5%), frequent famine (26.9%) and lack of health
facility services (25.3%). Malaria, HIV/AIDS and diarrhoeal diseases
were the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Most of the health
communication packages covered communicable diseases and their
prevention. Health care facility was the main (91.6%) source of health
information for most communities. Public meetings, radio and print
materials were the most frequently used channels of health information
communication. Major constraints in adopting health education messages
included poverty, inappropriate health education, ignorance and local
beliefs. Conclusion: This study has identified gaps in health
knowledge and information communication in Tanzania. There is lack of
adequate knowledge and information exchange capacities among the health
providers and the ability to share that information with the targeted
community. Moreover, although the information gets to the community,
most of them are not able to utilize it properly because they lack the
necessary background knowledge. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23 ObjectType-Article-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 |
ISSN: | 0856-8960 0856-8960 |