Quality of Reproductive Health Information, Education and Communication Printed Materials- Khartoum locality and East Nile locality (May 2013---- March 2014)

Abstract

Background: Regular using infomiation, education and communication printed materials during antenatal and post natal period, through individual or group approach, brings desirable changes in health practices of mothers resulting in a healthy mother and baby and is one key issue for maintaining safe motherhood. The objectives: the aim of this study was to re-test information, education and communication (IEC) printed materials in reproductive health , to analyze the process and mechanisms of development of the information, education and communication printed materials with extensive review of existing materials regarding availability and distribution at Khartoum and East Nile localities at Khartoum state. Materials and methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional facility- based study. The data were collected from 385 mothers in reproductive age, 72 mothers fiom Khartoum locality and 313 mothers from the East Nile locality. Trained field data collectors conducted the re-testing of infonnation, education and communication printed materials from April 2013 to May 2013. Availability and distribution of information, education and communication materials at various health facilities were assessed at the same time. This involved 16 public and private health centers at Khartoum locality and 37 health centers (public and private), 3 hospitals,'6 dispensaries and one mobile clinic at East Nile locality. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 16. Results: The apprehension of IEC messages addressing appropriate nutrition and clothing for pregnant mother and birth spacing were apprehended by 75 % of the respondents and IEC material addressing serious signs and symptoms during pregnancy was apprehended by 83.3%. However, respondents in both localities had difficulty in apprehending the IEC materials addressing the delivery plan. This is represented 60.4% in both localities .The study revealed that the IEC printed materials were acceptable, attractive, relevant and persuasive. However statistically significant differences were encountered between educational level and acceptability (p- VII

value =0.000), relevance (p-value =0.035) and persuasiveness (p-value = 0.000). The availability of the IEC materials in both localities represents 66.7%. Conclusions: The IEC printed materials, addressing appropriate nutrition & clothing for pregnant mother, serious sign and symptoms during pregnancy and birth spacing were well apprehended by majority of respondents in both localities but; they had difficulty in apprehending the IEC materials (delivery plan). Considering the analysis of the process of development of IEC printed materials; it was found that IEC team generally did not follow universally accepted guidelines and tips for developing the IEC printed materials. The author recommends that proper planning for production anddistribution strategy ensures efficient and effective use of these IEC printed materials.