Provision and Accessibility of Health Information to the Rural Communities in Kenya: A Case Study of Bomet District

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a study that examined the provision and accessibility of health information to the residents of Bomet District, Kenya. A sample of 100 respondents aged 15 years and above was selected from 10 randomly picked villages in a purposively selected location of the district. Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted and notes taken. Data collected were categorised, analysed and presented in tables, percentages, and discussion. It was found that rural people have many health information needs, most of which are directly related to their health problems. Some of these needs have not been met or satisfied by the existing information resources and services due to a number of factors that make health information inaccessible. Most of these factors emanate from the nature of the existing information and communication infrastructure and associated services. It is recommended that health meetings, visual media, adult education, rural-focused broadcast and print media as well as infrastructure supportive of health information communication should be improved. Basic health lessons need to be introduced in schools and rural information centres need to be established in the rural areas. It is also recommended that the Ministry of Health needs to put in place a policy that would promote health information dissemination.


Af. J. Lib. Arch. & Inf. Sc. (2003) 13, 155-174