Health service providers rated top health info source
A survey conducted by Support for Service Delivery Integration (SSDI) in the 19 districts of Malawi indicates that health service providers are the top source of health information compared to radio, television and newspapers.
Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (Usaid), SSDI conducted the research in Chitipa, Karonga, Salima, Dowa, Kasungu, Nkhotakota, Lilongwe, Balaka, Zomba, Machinga, Mangochi, Phalombe, Mulanje, Chikhwawa, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Dedza, Chiradzulu and Nkhata Bay.
Dziko Chatata, monitoring and evaluation officer for the research, told an SSDI Research Dissemination Meeting in Lilongwe on Friday that 80 percent of the population in the survey gets their health information from hospitals and health centres.
Said Chatata: “Eighty-five percent of women and 71 percent of men visit the service providers to get health information.”
Ministry of Health principal secretary Dr Charles Mwansambo, who presided over the ceremony, commended SSDI for conducting the survey and its effort to improve health.
He said: “We have seen how most people get health information. It seems not many people get the information from the media.”
Mwansambo acknowledged Usaid’s commitment towards health development in the country.
Representing Usaid, Mirriam Luts said the survey reveals where there is need for immediate support on health issues.
