Report on the provision of health information to mothers/caretakers of children under the age of five years

Abstract

Abstract provided by author:

This study was conducted among mothers/caretakers in Hakahana constituency, Windhoek, Namibia. The aim of the study was to find out the provision of health information to mothers/caretakers of children under the age of five years who suffer from diarrhoea. Two types of groups of respondents were researched on, namely mothers/caretakers and health workers. An opportunity sampling method was used to collect data from both groups. Focus group discussions were held with mothers/caretakers. The study found that the factors that affect the provision of diarrhoeal health information transfer to mothers/caretakers are: lack of communication skills among the nurses; work overload due to shortage of staff; and poor coverage of all the aspects in health information transfer. The study also found that mothers/caretakers possess to a certain extent health information regarding treating diarrhoea. Therefore, there is a need for improvement on health education for it to have a proper impact on mothers/caretakers at preventive and curative level. Recommendations as to improve: communications skills among nurses; health education content; channels of communications; and target audience time for health education. All these factors are revealed as crucial for health information transfer regarding diarrhoeal prevention and treatment among the children under the age of five years