The Promotion of Non-Communicable Disease Screening in Gurage Zone, Ethiopia: A Mixed-Method Study

Despite the high non-communicable disease (NCD) mortality in Ethiopia, NCD screening in the country remains suboptimal. This study assessed the health communication process and materials designed to promote NCD screening among adult primary healthcare facility attendants in the Gurage Zone, Ethiopia.

A parallel mixed-methods approach was employed. Seven health communication materials were evaluated using the Modified Clear Communication Index Score by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seven key informants who were involved in the production were interviewed to explore the process. Users' satisfaction with the materials was assessed through a cross-sectional survey (N = 412). We used multivariable logistic regression with SPSS version 27 software to determine the factors associated with users' satisfaction. Thematic analysis was applied for the qualitative data analysis using Opencode 4.03 software.

Qualitative interviews indicated that the production process relied on evidence, involved stakeholders, and included pretesting. The CDC index score revealed that five of the seven materials were considered clear and user-friendly, whereas two required improvement. Overall users' satisfaction with the material was high with a mean score of 22.10 (SD ± 2.34; min: 14, max: 25). Age and educational status had significant positive association with users' satisfaction.

Developing health communication materials on promoting NCD screening based on evidence, stakeholders' input, and pretesting can lead to good quality material and user satisfaction. We recommend future research works to measure changes in NCD screening service uptake as a result of using the health communication materials considered in this study.