Department of Communication and media technologyhttps://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/512024-03-28T10:14:53Z2024-03-28T10:14:53ZMedia Exposure and Awareness Creation: Examination of a Vernacular Radio Health Programme on Type 2 DiabetesMisiani, Daniel OtienoNyambug, Charleshttps://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/57232023-06-05T11:30:01Z2023-04-30T00:00:00ZMedia Exposure and Awareness Creation: Examination of a Vernacular Radio Health Programme on Type 2 Diabetes
Misiani, Daniel Otieno; Nyambug, Charles
Communication research has established a cause-effect relationship between amount of media exposure and audience
awareness about issues in the society. Against this, different media programmes have been rolled out in an effort to help
in combatting the scourge of non-communicable diseases. Among them is in Ramogi FM, a local radio station that
broadcast „Miya Ngima programme which seeks to inform and educate its listeners on type 2 diabetes prevention among
other diseases. Despite the existence of this programme, the disease prevalence seems to be on the rise coupled with low
awareness levels within the area of study. This study, therefore, purposed to examine the efficacy Miya Ngima radio
programme on awareness creation about type 2 diabetes prevention. McCombs and Shaw‟s (1972) Agenda-Setting
Theory was used in the study. The study adopted descriptive and correlational research designs. Systematic random
sampling was used to get 400 programme listeners. Purposive sampling was used to select 2 Miya Ngima programmes on
type 2 diabetes and 1 Miya Ngima programme host. In collecting data from listeners and the programme host,
questionnaires and structured interviews were used respectively. Coding sheets were used to obtain data from Miya
Ngima programmes. The findings revealed that amount of audience exposure to Miya Ngima programme resulted in
increased audience awareness about type 2 diabetes
DOI: 10.36348/sjhss.2023.v08i04.004
2023-04-30T00:00:00ZImportant pillars in delivery of mass campaign messages to a target audience through earned mediaOmukule Emojong', Geoffrey Korirhttps://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/54612022-10-27T16:54:23Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZImportant pillars in delivery of mass campaign messages to a target audience through earned media
Omukule Emojong', Geoffrey Korir
Over the years, the remits of different theoretical and policy discourses on media issues have dealt with how conventional forms of mass media are a crucial ingredient for effective media campaigns. They have marked and interrogated, in greater detail, how this essential role is augmented in today’s era through these traditional media’s adoption of digital technology. It is against this backdrop that a vast collection of research on mass media campaigns has been conducted across the world; however, many of these studies are seemingly suffused in how these campaigns are expended to enhance the behavior of a target audience positively and submerge or ignore in toto why some of them fail to realize the same. Given the persistent reality of how some of these campaigns are failing to achieve such desirable outcomes, primarily because of inadequate funding that leads to their inconsistent delivery installments, or absolute lack of it through the media, this brief article delves into how such campaigns can still be delivered despite this financial impediment. Based on a qualitative systematic review research design, it demonstrates how mass campaigns can be delivered successfully through earned media coverage. In light of this possibility, it is concluded that relevant institutions seeking to deliver mass campaign messages should do so, at the very outset, by creating an enabling environment for such coverage to ensue. It is argued that such an environment will be realized if these institutions build a sustained series of events and news conferences specifically geared towards availing the campaign content for dissemination to a target audience at an affordable cost.
https://doi.org/10.57040/asshj.v3i1.113
2022-01-01T00:00:00ZFear-arousing persuasive communication and behaviour change: Covid-19 in KenyaOmukule Emojong'https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/54482022-10-26T12:43:46Z2021-01-01T00:00:00ZFear-arousing persuasive communication and behaviour change: Covid-19 in Kenya
Omukule Emojong'
With the absence of immunological, pharmacological or any other known medical interventions, the change in norms, behaviour and attitude of the public remains the only possible way that may be considered for prevention and suppression of COVID-19. This disease, which has morphed into a global pandemic, has mobilized outrageous outpouring action worldwide. Despite international and local media attention coupled with overwhelming new facts replete with misinformation and disinformation on COVID-19 from many channels; including interpersonal and social media, efforts to scale up control measures have yielded mixed results. The government and Kenyan media have reported several cases in which the public and leaders flouted these measures thus putting themselves at risk of contracting or spreading the virus. The overarching question is: does fear-arousing communication really matter in behaviour change particularly during a global pandemic of the magnitude of COVID-19? This qualitative study therefore examined the effects of COVID-19 messages on health behaviour change among residents living in the Municipality of Busia, one of the towns that have recorded the highest incidences of confirmed COVID-19 cases as informed by the Extended Parallel Process and Health Belief behavioural change models. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were carried out to establish threat and coping appraisal as a result of COVID-19 messages received from different sources. The study employed a risk behaviour diagnosis assessment that focused on two components of health risk messages, that is, threat and recommended response that addresses efficacy issues. This study found out that despite universal knowledge of COVID-19 and prevention methods, perceived threat especially perceived vulnerability to the virus was low due to misinformation, disinformation and disjointed communication.
The article can be accessed in full via:https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/intellect/jams/2021/00000013/00000002/art00005
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1386/jams_00043_1
2021-01-01T00:00:00ZCommunicating Through Service Charter to Enhance Delivery of Immigration Services in KenyaOsir Otteng, Juliet Jagerohttps://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/54472022-10-26T12:24:05Z2014-01-01T00:00:00ZCommunicating Through Service Charter to Enhance Delivery of Immigration Services in Kenya
Osir Otteng, Juliet Jagero
This study sought to establish the role played by communication in the on-going reform programmes in Kenya’s public sector and, particularly, in the immigration department. In particular, it has investigated the function of the service charter as a communication tool and guide to staff in service delivery. To interrogate the above issues, the study focused on employees (service providers). Up to 50 frontline staff, including immigration officers, immigration clerks and others in the operational cadres, were selected through a simple random sampling procedure. Further, an interview schedule, with one senior official of the department, was conducted to obtain in-depth information on the topic under investigation. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyze the data collected from the study. All the service providers know the charter exists and almost all know the promises it makes to the customers and timelines therein. But a considerable number of the staff at the operational cadre do not use the charter as a reference point for service delivery. Nearly all employees on this cadre say they were not involved in the planning and formulation processes of the service charter nor have they been trained on implementations. The study concludes that because of lack of involvement of the operational employees in the formulation of the charter, there is lack of ownership on their part and few use the charter as reference point in service provision. For the same reason, the charter has barely influenced their behaviour and attitude in service provision. Lack of a comprehensive communication policy and a clear communication strategy in the department and in the government at large is a major hindrance to reforms.
The article can be accessed in full via:https://ideas.repec.org/a/rss/jnljms/v3i2p5.html
2014-01-01T00:00:00ZThe Significance of Livelihood Support Projects to Health Communication Strategies in Resource-deprived Settings: A Look at the Medical Male Circumcision Programme in Siaya County, KenyaOsir Otteng, Michael Kiptoo, Peres Wenjehttps://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/54462022-10-26T12:09:50Z2020-01-01T00:00:00ZThe Significance of Livelihood Support Projects to Health Communication Strategies in Resource-deprived Settings: A Look at the Medical Male Circumcision Programme in Siaya County, Kenya
Osir Otteng, Michael Kiptoo, Peres Wenje
Behaviour change communicators and health experts often assume that individual beliefs and perceptions hold the
key to explaining health behaviours, thereby ignoring the extraneous constraints that obtain in the individual’s
environment. Access to basic resources, such as food clothing and shelter, can be central to developing an
understanding for health transactions, particularly in severely resource-deprived populations found in rural and
informal urban dwellings, where basic survival at times overrides all other considerations. In such situations,
specific livelihood improvement programmes targeting the intended beneficiaries and other key players in a given
health intervention could be an incentive for the adoption and uptake of the intervention. This study examined the
possible effects of socio-economic incentives to complement communication campaigns to improve the uptake of
voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) for the prevention of HIV/AIDS in Siaya County of Kenya. Using
multi-stage sampling, we purposively selected two sub-counties, Bondo and Rarieda, from where, using the
snowball technique, we drew a sample of 370 male residents aged 18 to 49 years, mainly from the fish landing
areas of the two sub-counties. We conducted two focus group discussions with men and women residents, besides
in-depth interviews with five managers of the programme. Results were drawn from direct and indirect questions
touching on socio-economic issues covered in the qualitative and quantitative research instruments and from
anecdotal evidence. We found that, besides conventional prevention and treatment programmes, combating
HIV/AIDS through VMMC in low-income populations requires reasonable investment in economic assistance to
the intended beneficiaries of VMMC and those with the potential to influence their decision. These activities
should be integrated in the wider programme implementation spectrum with clear structures that serve as entry
points for health message delivery points
2020-01-01T00:00:00ZBarriers to Interpersonal Communication as a Tool for Improving the Uptake of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision in Siaya County, KenyaOsir Otteng, Peres Wenja, Michael Kiptoohttps://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/54452022-10-26T09:42:14Z2020-01-01T00:00:00ZBarriers to Interpersonal Communication as a Tool for Improving the Uptake of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision in Siaya County, Kenya
Osir Otteng, Peres Wenja, Michael Kiptoo
Despite its acknowledged importance in health management, particularly when dealing with such sensitive issues
that transcend the boundaries of health as sexuality, stigma and discrimination, there is little research on the
efficacy of interpersonal communication (IPC) in health programmes in Kenya. Consequently, little is documented
on barriers to IPC in the implementation of health interventions. We examined specific potential barriers to IPC
as an integral device in the implementation of the voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) programme in
Siaya, Kenya. We used a mixed-methods sequential cross-sectional research design, and the multi-stage sampling
technique – combining purposive and chain referral sampling procedures to arrive at the desired samples. Two
questionnaires were administered on 370 male residents of Bondo and Rarieda in Siaya; and on 35 implementers
of the programme in the two sub-counties. Further, we interviewed five managers from the implementing agencies.
We used descriptive and inferential statistics to analyse quantitative data, and presented the findings through text
and tables, while qualitative data were analysed through the description, analysis and interpretation process. The
findings show time constraints as a significant barrier chiefly from the viewpoint of the operational staff, who
admitted lacking time for meaningful interactions with their clients to fully explain issues raised for desired mutual
understanding. Culture, in its various forms, has a significant negative cross-cutting bearing on provider-client
interactions, while provider-client language difference, coupled with service providers’ attitude and jargons had a
potential negative effect on the VMMC programme’s final outcome, at least from the clients’ perspective. We
recommend full integration of IPC in healthcare management. Communication training should be accorded its due
prominence, both in terms of scope and depth, in all heath training institutions. We further vouch for service
provider cultural competence to enhance understanding. IPC can play a crucial role in healthcare management in
Kenya due to its ability to facilitate important provider-client transaction, particularly in the largely oral rural
resource-deprived populations, which lack adequate access to mass communication media. This study has
discussed a raft of potential barriers to IPC, and provides significant insights to planners and managers of
management of health programmes and interventions
2020-01-01T00:00:00ZEmployees’ Perception on Internal Communication during Unrest in Public Universities in Western KenyaSamuel Aron Issakhttps://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/49912022-02-16T09:11:26Z2021-01-01T00:00:00ZEmployees’ Perception on Internal Communication during Unrest in Public Universities in Western Kenya
Samuel Aron Issak
Public universities in Kenya have experienced recurrent employees’ unrest
which could be as a result of ineffective internal communication between the
university and its employees. During crisis, effective internal communication is vital
as it is the only way the organization and employees can dialogue and stop the crisis.
Despite vast research on organizational internal communication, literature on
employees’ perception on internal communication during unrest in Kenyan public
universities during unrest is deficient. Data was collected by means of questionnaires
and FGDs among 374 employees and 114 union officials respectively. The findings
revealed that the employees felt that during unrest there are no sufficient internal
communication channels, and opportunities within the organization to give
suggestions. Moreover, the study ascertained that the organizations do not support
two-way communication between employees and management during unrest. The
other finding was that during unrest the information employees got from their
organization was unreliable and untimely. Therefore, the employees are largely
dissatisfied with the internal communication between them and the organizations
they work for during unrest.
DOI: 10.36349/easjhcs.2021.v03i05.001
2021-01-01T00:00:00ZEstablishing Internal Communication Channels Preferred by the Employees of Public Universities in Western Kenya during UnrestAli M.A., Nyambuga C., Yakub Ahttps://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/49082022-02-08T08:57:36Z2018-01-01T00:00:00ZEstablishing Internal Communication Channels Preferred by the Employees of Public Universities in Western Kenya during Unrest
Ali M.A., Nyambuga C., Yakub A
Public universities in Kenya have experienced recurrent employees unrest which could be as a
result of ineffective internal communication between the university and its employees. During
crisis, effective internal communication is vital as it is the only way the organization and
employees can dialogue and stop the crisis. Despite vast research on organizational internal
communication literature on employees preferred internal communication channels in Kenyan
public universities during unrest is lacking. Data was collected by means of questionnaires and
FGDs among 374 employees and 114 union officials respectively. The findings revealed that most
preferred mode of communication by the employees was staff WhatsApp platform (51.7%). The
study recommended that the management of public universities should integrate existing internal
communication channels with staff WhatsApp.
2018-01-01T00:00:00ZRole Of Dholuo FM Radio Programmes In Flood Warning In West Nyakach Division, KenyaAli Molly Anyango, Charles Nyambuga,Yakub Adamshttps://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/47042022-02-03T20:24:30Z2017-01-01T00:00:00ZRole Of Dholuo FM Radio Programmes In Flood Warning In West Nyakach Division, Kenya
Ali Molly Anyango, Charles Nyambuga,Yakub Adams
Flooding is an uncertain phenomenon thus advance warning, evacuation and flood control are effective
and sustainable methods of reducing the devastation caused by floods. Raising awareness and preparing the population in
general to respond to natural disaster such as floods, should be a crucial task for the mass media. A report by Kenya Red
Cross (2012) indicated that 5000 people suffer the effects of floods every year in Nyakach District in Kenya, and the
damage is estimated at 49 million. The recurrence of floods seems to be an indicator of lack of knowledge on the flood
risk management in West Nyakach. This study focused on the vernacular radio programmes offered by two Dholuo Radio
stations; Radio Ramogi & Radio Lake Victoria, these stations offer a forum for the listeners to call radio station directly
and discuss issues related to risk management. The study was guided by the Uses and Gratification Theory (Blumler and
Katz 1974). 150 homesteads, two radio programmes managers and one area chief constituted the sample for the study.
Data were collected using questionnaires and oral interview. The findings revealed that, majority of residents listened to
radio broadcast in Dholuo and received flood warning over the radio, they also depend on radio for flood warnings which
seemed timely. Though most of the residents did not respond positively to early flood warning.
http://www.ijiras.com/2017/Vol_4-Issue_11/paper_48.pdf
2017-01-01T00:00:00ZMale Circumcision Interpersonal Messages and Uptake of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) among Married Men in Teso South Sub County, Kenya: A Qualitative Study UsingOmukule Emojong', Hellen Mberia, Ndati Ndetihttps://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/46422022-02-03T20:23:08Z2018-01-01T00:00:00ZMale Circumcision Interpersonal Messages and Uptake of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) among Married Men in Teso South Sub County, Kenya: A Qualitative Study Using
Omukule Emojong', Hellen Mberia, Ndati Ndeti
Voluntary Medical Male circumcision (VMMC) reduces risk of heterosexually acquired HIV. Kenya adopted VMMC as an
HIV intervention in 2008 and has been making remarkable progress towards achieving its male circumcision target.
However, uptake of VMMC is lowest among older and married men. The main objective of this paper is to examine the
nature interpersonal communication messages and their influence on uptake of VMMC among married men in Teso
South Sub County in Western Kenya. Teso Sub County is among the sub counties with low male circumcision prevalence
and high HIV/AIDS prevalence thus a target of the VMMC programme. In-depth interviews were conducted from July1-
31, 2017 with 30 married men aged between 20 and 49 years comprising 15uncircumcised men and another
15circumcised while married. Data was captured using digital recorders, and field notes were transcribed verbatim from
local language into English. Key constructs and thematic frameworks were developed using health belief model (HBM)
and Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) and presented verbatim using the participants own words. Based on male
circumcision messages shared interpersonally, participants were induced with threat to HIV/AIDS both in its severity
and susceptibility to it. The circumcised respondents equally felt highly susceptible to HIV/AIDS. Self-efficacy (confidence
in performing a behaviour), and especially response efficacy (the belief of efficacious of message) regarding acceptance
of VMMC as a preventive measure were the most important correlates of perception. Low response efficacy was the
critical problems in adoption of VMMC. Majority of those who had sought VMMC did it for other reasons such as peer
pressure, penis appearance, sexual satisfaction and penile hygiene and not for HIV prevention.
2018-01-01T00:00:00Z