An effective community learning process on promotion of Integrated Management of Childhood Illness and Safe Motherhood: A case study of a participatory radio program ( Phukusi la Moyo), Mchinji district, Malawi

Abstract

Phukusi la Moyo is a radio magazine program which combines formal radio listenership and face to face discussion by group members. The program is concerned with maternal and child health and started in 2009 as a community initiative through women groups which is one of Maimwana Research project intervention implemented to improve the lives of mothers and children in rural areas of the district.: That The women groups aim is to identify their maternal and child health problems, analyze, identify solutions, implement and evaluate on sustainable base; hers That health education was identified as one of the effective strategies to help reduce maternal and child deaths, however health education information was not accessible to some groups due to shortage of health workers. Then the women’s groups agreed to lobby for a health education program to be aired at the existing community radio station– Mudziwathu to enable them share their experiences to the wider communities. Maimwana staff was informed of the idea and helped to link the groups with the radio station and the Ministry of health. Commonwealth of Learning was contacted and funded the whole programming process. // The program is being managed by a collaboration of partners Maimwana, Mchinji District Hospital, Mudziwathu Community Radio Station and community representatives. They all participate in program messages development, production and giving feedback on member’s perceptions on listened programs. The program has been implemented in three phases with funding from CoL and fourth phase is Maimwana funding. The program resulted into great improvements in health care and health care seeking behaviour, increased awareness on maternal and child health issues which signifies the effectiveness of the radio program on maternal and child health. // Paper ID: 170