Dissemination of health information among rural dwellers in Africa: a Ghanaian experience

This paper looked at how effectively the Ghanaian Ministry of Health disseminated health information within the country. Standardized questionnaires were administered to samples from two villages to find out how they obtained information about four selected health topics--cholera, immunization, ORT and AIDS--and what they knew about these health topics. We found that respondents relied almost equally on conversation with family and friends on the one hand and radio on the other, for information on the selected health topics. Health workers and a traditional communication channel, the 'town-crier', also played significant roles. Our data appeared to indicate that messages on the four selected health topics were not being properly and accurately conveyed and suggestions aimed at redressing this situation were put forward.