Assessing Sources Used by Rural Women to Access Health Information in Morogoro Rural District

Abstract

This study aimed at assess sources used to disseminate information to rural women to access information was done in Morogoro Rural District. The objectives of the study were to assess sources of information consulted by women in Morogoro Rural District, identifies challenges encountered by rural women when accessing information relating to health and to recommend strategies that will enhance dissemination and use of information on health. Data were collected from a sample of 100 respondents whereas; information was collected through questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions and observations. The findings indicated that rural women faced many challenges such as illiteracy inadequate sources of information particularly health information. The study concludes that in order to deal with the problem of literacy which marked as the major reason hindering rural women on utilize printed materials adult education programmes should be organized. Also several media should be used for disseminating health information so that it can be accessed conveniently by different stakeholders according to their preferences. On top of that, health workers in collaboration with other stakeholders should be encouraged to diversify ways of disseminating health information. The government should also set aside budget for dissemination of information on cancer as is the case for other diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS.

Keywords: Information Dissemination, Information Seeking Behavior of Rural Women and Women Information Needs