An assessment of the health channel broadcasting multimedia for communication and dissemination of information in the health sector

Date
2006-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study reported on here was conducted between December 2003 and April 2004. The aim of the study was to assess the use of Health Channel Broadcast Multimedia (HCBM) in order to maximise its success. The HCBM is an Information Technology method that was used to disseminate health information in public health facilities. HCBM was installed in health facilities and was used as an education tool. This was done by further developing the clinical skills of the health care workers (HCWs) and to inform the patients, including the community members on HIV/AIDS and related communicable diseases. The study was conducted in eight health facilities in seven provinces where HCBM was piloted. Facilities and forty-nine health professionals (HCWs) were selected conveniently and one hundred and twenty-eight patients were sampled using a systematic random method. The convenient sampling method was relevant since these were key facilities with HCBM. There were very few HCWs who did view HCBM and they were drawn into the study. HCBM used programmes disseminating messages in Afrikaans, English, sePedi, seSotho, siSwati, isiXhosa and isiZulu. The Rapid Assessment Response (RAR) approach was used to give a quick appraisal of the study. The report focuses on the cross-sectional reporting of the quantitative technique of the RAR. Of the HCWs, 86% had viewed the broadcast content, 70% were satisfied with the broadcast mode of service delivery; 56% indicated that the messages were good and added educational value to their professional work, while 52% chose to use the IP box content with HIV/AIDS topics. Ninety-two percent of HCWs stated that HCBM targeted patients and young people, 48% said HCBM had the ability to convey information and 48% said it was capable of addressing health problem. When HCBM was being set up, 62% HCWs engaged in decision making. Patients mentioned that HCBM as a method of information dissemination was educative (62%) and informative (52%). They reported that they did hear messages on HIV/AIDS telling them that medication was available for free to treat within 72 hours after being raped (72%); they had the right to say no to unsafe sex (92%); and 76% said the broadcast had the ability to change people’s behaviour. Respondents reported that the messages were easily understood (44%). The conclusion is that the findings will be useful to inform the government and managers of HCBM programmes on how to maximise the success of HCBM, especially at the implementation phase.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie verslag doen verslag oor die resultate van ’n ondersoek wat tussen Desember 2003 en April 2004 onderneem is. Die doel van die verslag is om die doeltreffendheid van die gebruik van ’n multimedia gesondheidsuitsendingkanaal, Health Channel Broadcast Multimedia (HCBM) te bepaal. Hierdie is nuwe tegnologie wat gebruik word om gesondheidsinligting slegs in die openbare gesondheidsektor te versprei. Die studie is by agt openbare gesondheidsfasiliteite in sewe provinsies waar die HCBM volledig gevestig was, onderneem. Nege-en-veertig gesondheidskundiges (HPW’s) is volgens ’n gerieflikheidsteekproef geselekteer, en 128 pasiënte is met behulp van ’n sistematiese ewekansige steekproef geselekteer. Die HCBM het programme gebruik wat boodskappe in Afrikaans, Engels, sePedi, seSotho, siSwati, isiXhosa en isiZulu uitgesaai het. ’n Benadering bekend as die Rapid Assessment Response (RAR) is gebruik om ’n vinnige evaluering van die studie te maak. Die verslag konsentreer op die deursneerapportering van die kwantitatiewe tegniek van die RAR. Van die HPW’s het 85% na die inhoud van die uitsending gekyk, 70% was tevrede met die uitsendingmodus van dienslewering, 56% het aangedui dat die boodskappe goed was en van opvoedkundige waarde in hulle professionele werk, terwyl 52% verkies het om die Internet Platform-inhoud met MIV/Vigs-temas te gebruik. Twee-en-negentig persent van die HPW’s het te kenne gegee die HCBM is gerig op pasiënte en die jeug, 48% het gesê HCBM het die vermoë om inligting oor te dra, en 48% het gesê dit is geskik om na die gesondheidsprobleem om te sien. Tydens die instelling van die HCBM het 62% HPW’s aan besluitneming deelgeneem. Van die pasiënte met grade 0–6 as opvoedingspeil het 75% verkies om brosjures te gebruik bo enige ander massamedia, en 72% mans en 67% vrouens het na boodskappe oor die behandeling van MIV/Vigs-simptome geluister. Inligting oor vrywillige berading en toetsing voor swangerskap is deur 66% van die vrouens gehoor. Meer as 90% van hulle was bewus van die reg om nee te sê vir seks of onveilige seks. Pasiënte oor die hele residensiële gebied was dit eens dat die taalgebruik in die uitsendings maklik verstaanbaar was. Oor al die opvoedkundige grade heen is saamgestem dat die HCBM die voorgenome boodskap oorgedra het. Die gevolgtrekking is dat die bevindings waardevol is om die regering en bestuurders van die uitsendingsprogram in te lig oor hoe om die ander fases te verbeter. Dit sluit Fase 2 in, wat die uitvoering van die HCBM behels.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.
Keywords
Medical informatics, Telecommunication in medicine, Health -- Electonic information resources, Theses -- Sociology, Dissertations -- Sociology
Citation