Evaluation of the malezi bora communicated messages on utilization of health services for children less than five years old in Lugari sub county, Kenya

Abstract

The study to evaluate the Malezi bora communicated messages on utilization of health services for children less than 5 years old in Lugari Sub County was conducted in October, 2015.Lugari was chosen because it had an under five mortality rate of 64 deaths per 1000 live births which was higher than the national average of 52 deaths per 1000 live births and children had low access to health services. The objectives of the study in Lugari were; evaluation of the influence of Malezi bora messages on practices of caregivers with children under five years old, description of the outputs of Malezi bora interventions for 2007, 2010 and 2014 and determination of the perception of health workers on the Malezi bora strategy. The study used quantitative and qualitative designs to achieve study objectives. The study randomly interviewed 105 caregivers (Fisher’s formula used) using a questionnaire, 30 health workers (2 per health facility) selected from 15 randomly selected health facilities were interviewed using a questionnaire and a monitoring checklist. One focus group discussion with caregivers was conducted using a discussion guide. The study results reveal that caregivers were influenced by the Malezi bora messages with a significant association between hearing of Malezi bora messages and seeking child health services at health facilities (X2=9.018, P=.003).The results reveal increased utilization of child health services in Lugari Sub County during Malezi bora months of May and November for 2007, 2010 and 2014 except for immunization services. The results reveal that 65% of the health workers have focused and positive attitudes to the Malezi bora Initiative. ‘Malezi bora is now a household name and I can mention many messages but what I can say in a summarized way is that the Malezi bora messages are for the holistic care for the children and help prevent many diseases’ caregiver in FGD at Lumakanda Hospital stated. The study concludes that; communication of Malezi bora messages influenced caregivers’ positive actions for health care of their children and increased uptake of child health services were higher for the Malezi bora months. The study concludes that health workers are supportive of the child health strategy in Lugari Sub County. The study recommends the sustenance of the communication of Malezi bora messages, focus more on immunization intervention with behavior change communication and mobilize resources for the overall survival, growth and development of children under five years old in Lugari Sub County of Kakamega County.