An Evaluation of health education communication on infant and child morbidity and mortality: A case study of chelstone clinic in Lusaka.

Abstract

The report explores the value of health education communication on infant and child morbidity and mortality. The rates of child mortality are too high in Zambia (102 per 1000 live births in 2009) compared to Singapore for example with a rate of 2.5 deaths per 1000 live births (www.healthbeatblog.org/2008/07). This situation should be addressed from all angles including the preventive measures such as those offered through communication. Conditions mostly affecting the under-five at Chelstone clinic are; pneumonia, malaria, diarrhoea, respiratory infections and malnutrition (Action Plan, 2009-2010:68). Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used in collecting, analysing, and interpreting data. Convenience sampling was applied on the mothers who were readily available at the clinic and 100 standardised questionnaires were used to collect data. The researcher personally conducted the in-depth interviews with five health education providers. The participant observation approach was used for a period of three months.Data from the interviews was interpreted thematically and reconciled with what was observed. The software package for social sciences was used to analyse data from the questionnaires.It was found that the messages which are taught are cardinal to the good health of infants and children. The general attitude towards health education was found to be positive and the knowledge levels of the messages discussed were generally above average regardless of the level of maternal education. Most importantly, the children of the women who attended the health education sessions did not have ailing health as their mothers incorporated most of what they learnt in their lifestyles. Health education communication, therefore, has a positive influence with regards to infant and child morbidity and mortality.