Sources of health information among rural dwellers in Africa

This paper examines the use, in Primary Health Care, of such information channels as conversation, the town crier, the market place, churches, schools,health officers, and the radio. The case study on which this paper is based showed that conversation was the most popular but least trusted source of health information. Radio came second both in terms of popularity and credibility, whereas the health officer was ranked third in popularity but first in credibility. Further, the study revealed that the awareness level of the respondents was generally low, and practical use of the knowledge acquired was minimal. On the basis of these findings, the paper questions the ubiquitousness of such traditional channels as the town crier, the market and folk theatre in rural communication systems.