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.