Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Abstract
Objective: This study investigated the influence of available media information on Pelvic Inflammatory Disease awareness, knowledge, perception and preventive practices regarding the condition among women of reproductive age in South-Eastern Nigeria.
Methods: A descriptive survey was used to elicit data from selected respondents. The study involved 574 women of child bearing age in three selected states (Anambra, Abia and Enugu) in the region.
Results: awareness of PID information was inadequate regardless of the sources of information (i.e., traditional and or the new media). Crucial predictor factors of exposure to PID information and PID preventive practices are demographically linked. For instance being young, uneducated and single was associated with lesser likelihood of being aware of PID information. Similar predictors impacted on preventive practices regarding PID. Findings showed that there was a strong, positive correlation between the two variables (r=.95, n=574, p<.05), with high levels of knowledge of the importance of health information on PID associated with high level of adoption of preventive practices of PID. Finally, cost of data subscription, the low capacity of information appliance to access information, the role of anxiety in health information and epileptic power supply that impedes the powering of information appliances accounted for the women’s inability to access health information about PID.
Conclusions: It is the conclusion of the study that awareness of health communication interventions in Southeast Nigeria is very low and requires deliberate efforts to raise awareness and encourage women of child bearing age to take responsibility. Crucial predictor factors of exposure to PID information and PID preventive practices are demographically linked.