Barriers and Facilitators in the Provision of Health Information About Hepatitis B and Polio Immunization Among Infant and Young Child Clinics in Rakai District

Abstract

This study aimed at examining the factors which hinder or facilitate the provision of health information about Hepatitis B and Polio immunization among infant and young child clinics in Rakai District. In order to learn about how health education is done, the researcher engaged with various categories of participants including health workers and mothers/caregivers at different facilities and units at the hospital. These included maternity ward, postnatal clinic and OPD. The guiding objectives were to establish the knowledge levels of mothers/caregivers of infants on Hepatitis B and Polio immunization in infants and young child clinics; to assess challenges in the provision of information on Hepatitis B and Polio immunization to mothers/caregivers of infants in young child clinics and to examine the enablers in the provision of knowledge on Hepatitis B and Polio immunization to mothers/caregivers of infants and young children in infants and young child clinics in health facilities in Rakai District. The research which was carried out in Rakai District employed descriptive cross-sectional research design where both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to critically identify how health education for Hepatitis B and polio immunization is facilitated or constrained. These are: proper planning processes and effective utilization for available human, structural, time and material resources, communication success in reaching and effective involvement of mothers in organizing Hepatitis B and polio health education activities, sessions and dialogue so as to promote understanding and acceptance of messages. However, the status and qualities of health workers including their communication skills both intrapersonal and interpersonal characterized by using positions of authority that made mothers/caregivers as only recipients of Hepatitis B and polio messages affected the delivery of health information. During sampling, probability, purposive sampling and stratified sampling methods were considered in choosing 147 nurses, 213 mothers/caregivers and 22 in-charges/Medicals Superintendent. Data processing was done using SPSS Version 20.0, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was computed and proved the study was reliable with results above 0.70 on average for all variables.

Quite substantive knowledge was provided by health workers to mothers/caregivers aiming at changing in attitude to create positive behavior and improved adherence to child immunization schedules for Hepatitis B and polio. Enablers included participation of all health facilities in provision of immunization services increased the chances of mothers to access immunization information on Hepatitis B and Polio, private practitioners’ involvement, availability of tools, funding, and health worker – mother/caregiver interaction, Hepatitis B and polio immunization outreaches. Among the key barriers included limited number of health workers involved in facilitating and dissemination ofHepatitis B and Polio immunization information whose interaction with mothers/caregivers is influenced by power dynamics of a ‘teacher-student’ relationship thus this factor was responsible for low Hepatitis B and polio immunization coverage which was reported to be staggering at only 33.3%.

Findings from this study provide highlights to the key messages about Hepatitis B and Polio immunization that would be suitable to the mothers/caregivers in enhancing their knowledge and influence positive behavior towards uptake of Hepatitis B and Polio immunization for their infants and young children. The study also highlights interpersonal relations between health workers and mothers/caregivers as being crucial in the provision of information about Hepatitis B and Polio immunization and recommends that mothers be engaged in all processes of information provision about Hepatitis B and Polio immunization to improve coverage. The study recommends that all stakeholders in the process of immunization be more involved and made to appreciate the importance of and available avenues for provision of information about Hepatitis B and Polio immunization as well as allocating funds for conducting health education sessions and production of IEC materials for Hepatitis B and Polio immunization.

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