Assessment of health communication strategies in promotingimmunisation uptake among women of a local communityin Nigeria

Abstract

Brief Background: The importance of effective health communication strategies in the promotion of vaccines and their uptake, especially in disease priority populations, cannot be overemphasised.

Objective: The general goal of this study was to examine how health communication strategies can promote immunisation uptake among women of a local community in Niger State, North Central, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to assess the current health communication strategies used in promoting immunisation in the community, evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies in the promotion of vaccine uptake, and the possible factors (if any) that influence the effectiveness of the health communication strategies towards immunisation.

Material and Method: The study adopted the survey research design and used a structured questionnaire in data gathering. The study’s population comprised 400 residents of Lapai, local government area of Niger State particularly women. Taro Yamane sample size calculation formula was used to get the sample size, while descriptive statistics were used as the method of data analysis.

Results: Findings revealed that respondents were frequently exposed to vaccination advertisements via the traditional media of radio and television, as messages encouraging immunisation and vaccine uptake were made culturally relevant to the people.

Conclusions: The study, therefore, concludes on the need to improve more in education while encouraging social support network strategies in engaging younger populations towards taking up immunisation against vaccine-preventable diseases.