Vernacular Radio and Health Promotion : Examining Programmes, the Use and Impact of Vernacular Radio in Malaria Control in Emuhaya District, Kenya
Abstract
This study investigated vernacular radio and health promotion: exploring the
programmes, the use and impact of vernacular radio in the control of malaria in Emuhaya
District, Kenya. The study had three specific objectives: to establish if there are
programmes dealing with malaria specifically on vernacular radio stations broadcasted in
Emuhaya District, to examine the extent to which health related programmes on radio are
used in the prevention and control of malaria in Emuhaya District and to establish the
impact of radio programmes on malaria control in Emuhaya District. The study sought to
find out if mass media and specifically vernacular radio has been used to disseminate
information on malaria control to the people apart from interpersonal communication.
The primary data was obtained using questionnaires, interview guides and focus group
guides which were administered to a sample size of 384 people, 3 focus groups and 4 key
informants. The data was analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics and presented using
tables, bar graphs and pie charts and in prose-form. The qualitative data was thematically
analyzed by classifying major issues covered and recurrent themes and later presented as
a narrative. The findings of the study were: there were several vernacular radio stations
broadcast in Emuhaya District that have health programmes addressing malaria control;
these health programmes specifically give information on the causes, effects, symptoms
and preventive measures against malaria and that there is a close relationship between
malaria attacks, its prevention and the messages presented on vernacular radio stations
broadcast in Emuhaya District. Based on the results of the findings, the study concluded
that there are health programmes broadcast on vernacular radio and that they are very
effective, complementary and capable of making a great impact on the populace in the
fight against malaria. Therefore, the study strongly recommends that the stakeholders in
the Ministry of Health and media owners should work closely together and using radio,
more so vernacular radio; incorporate the communities in the fight against malaria in
Emuhaya District and beyond.
Publisher
University of Nairobi