AN EVALUATION OF MENINGITIS HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES IN THE NORTHERN REGION

ABSTRACT

Meningitis health education programmes are prevalent in the meningitis belt of Ghana. This is due to the severity of the disease and its ability to cause permanent deformities and even deaths. The objective of the study was to ascertain the level of knowledge on symptoms, treatment and prevention among the residents of the endemic communities of Tamale and Bole, to assess the effectiveness of the various channels employed by the health education programmes in their effort to create awareness and encourage the adoption of preventive health behaviours. It also sought to ascertain the response of the residents to meningitis health education programmes. A triangulated research design was employed, involving the combination of a survey and in-depth interviews to respond to the different dimensions of the research objectives theoretical perspectives that guided the study. Questionnaires were used to gather information from 120 residents of two districts and semi-structured interview guides were used to elicit responses from two communication directors of the Ghana Health Service. The quantitative data was analysed using SPSS and the qualitative data was analysed based on their themes.

This study found that irrespective of their level of education, there was high knowledge of meningitis in terms of the signs, symptoms, prevention and treatment within both study areas. This level of knowledge was attributed to the health education activities carried out in the districts by the Ghana Health Service. Residents responded positively to meningitis health education programmes as preventive lifestyles were being adopted and meningitis cases were being reported to the hospitals immediately, thereby reducing meningitis related morbidity and mortality rates in the districts.

In terms of channel choice, health practitioners, followed by teachers were the most cited as preferred sources of knowledge on meningitis - rather than the mass media.

The study also found that the risk disposition of the target audience, their language and media preference are some of the factors considered by policy makers before any meningitis health education programme is conducted. Health talks at the OPDs of various hospitals was the frequently used medium of communication because they were found to be cheaper than buying media space.

The study however recommends the inclusion of new media into the health education programmes based on the observed shifting media preference of respondents along with education.