The Importance of Formative Research in Mass Media Campaigns Addressing Health Disparities: Two Kenyan case studies

Abstract

As compared to their urban middle-income counterparts, women and children living in rural areas and urban informal settlements in Kenya face special challenges in accessing health information and services. Television and print health information is often confined to towns and cities and shortages of health workers and supplies hamper most rural health care systems (CBS, 2004). At the same time, rapid urbanization has put unprecedented strain on the existing resources in the cities and has resulted in high rates of unemployment, poverty, and poor health outcomes especially among women and children living in informal settlements (Africa Population and Health Research Center, 2002; Mutua-Kombo, 2001; Ngimwa, Ocholla, & Ojiambo, 1997Only middle- and upper-class Kenyans who live in the largest urban centers have As compared to their urban middle-income counterparts, women and children living in rural areas and urban informal settlements in Kenya face special challenges in accessing health information and services. Television and print health information is often confined to towns and cities and shortages of health workers and supplies hamper most rural health care systems (CBS, 2004). At the same time, rapid urbanization has put unprecedented strain on the existing resources in the cities and has resulted in high rates of unemployment, poverty, and poor health outcomes especially among women and children living in informal settlements (Africa Population and Health Research Center, 2002; Mutua-Kombo, 2001; Ngimwa, Ocholla, & Ojiambo, 1997Only middle- and upper-class Kenyans who live in the largest urban centers have ready access to information about prevention and care, and can take advantage of a range of early detection technologies and treatment options at private hospitals.