Determining how accurate clients interpret health messages communicated by health education posters.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine how accurate clients interpret health education messages communicated by health education posters displayed in most health institutions, organisations and/or public places. It was hoped that the findings would help health educators to critically analyze how they utilize the posters when conducting health education and help health workers especially those involved in developing educational aids to improve available posters and the ones to be developed by taking into consideration this aspect of their job. The areas pertinent to the study include literature review on background to the concept of health education in traditional Zambia, development of modern health education, concept and philosophy of education and perception and communication.The sample which was drawn from four health centres in Lusaka consisted of sixty (60) males and females aged between twenty (20) to forty (40) years of age. It was assumed that age group has been exposed to experiences that are likely to influence the accuracy with which they will interpret health messages communicated by health education posters. An interview schedule in conjunction with three health education posters were used to collect data.

Four health centres in Lusaka urban were selected for sampling. The probability sampling procedure approach was selected as an appropriate method. The interviews took place during the end of the rain season in March to avoid inconveniences caused by the rains which would discourage most clients from attending the health centres. Various problems related to collection of data were minimized through co-operation with officers in charge and the clients themselves. The findings revealed than an average, respondents had a fair idea on health education. However, the majority did not interpret accurately the messages conveyed by the three (3) health education posters which were used in the study. These findings imply that there is need to look into nursing practices, administration, education and research that will improve on the quality of methods used in health education especially in the use of health education posters.