Communicating health information at the community level in Nigeria: examining common practices and challenges

Communicating health information at the community level is a vital strategy in managing community health issues in Africa. This study examines the different practices of communicating health information towards improving community health in Nigeria, and how effective they have been. The social cognitive theory (SCT) provides the conceptual framework for the study.

A qualitative study was carried out in three states from three out of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The states were Akwa Ibom State (South-south), Anambra State (South-east) and Kano State(North-west). The primary data for the study were collected from a diverse group of stakeholders cutting across community leaders, policy-makers, and informal and formal health providers, using ninety in-depth interviews and twelve Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Thematic analysis was used to explore the data.

Different practices of communicating health information in Nigeria include organizing meetings among community members, training community health workers, data/records management, community collaboration for health, use of educational institutions, and community advocacy. The study identified inadequate finance, shortage of manpower, lack of motivation and cultural beliefs as barriers to effective practices of communicating health information at the community level.

There are unsystematic and sub-optimal communications of health information at the community level, which can militate against such information and hinder the effective delivery of health programmes to communities. Hence, health communication and promotional interventions should align with the needs of the communities, encompassing their structural, cultural, social, religious and economic systems.