| The level of women’s access to information on health issues is rather low in rural communities and, therefore, women are seen as vulnerable to different forms of health hazard. In spite of the relentless effort and huge sunk sum, of money into women’s health programmes in Nigeria, the knowledge of rural women in northern Nigeria on health related issues appears to be on the decline. This study Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) investigated the nature and effectiveness of communication Nigeria, the knowledge of rural women in northern Nigeria on health related issues strategies adopted by PPFN on women reproductive health in Unguwan Muazu, Kaduna State with the following objectives: (i) to investigate the communication channels used by PPFN to sensitize women on reproductive health; (ii) to examine specific reproductive health issues and how they are addressed by PPFN; (iii) to identify challenges faced by PPFN in sensitizing women on reproductive health and (iv) to make suggestions on how communication approaches can be more effectively used in sensitizing women on reproductive health. Health Belief Model (HBM), developed by Becker in 1974 from the work of Rosenstock (1966) was the underpinning theoretical framework for the study. Survey research design was used and simple random sampling technique was used to draw population sample of 169 women who attended or benefited from the use of PPFN services within the period of study in Unguwan Muazu, Kaduna State. In-depth interview (IDI) was also conducted with staff of PPFN in Kaduna State to generate additional data. From the data analysis, it was established that PPFN deployed radio, television, community dialogue, information, education and communication materials (IEC) and women group meetings as strategies for communicating reproductive health to women in Unguwan Muazu community in Kaduna State. It was discovered that in order to increase the effectiveness of the communication approaches used by PPFN, there was need to increase radio programmes on reproductive health, advocacy visits to women groups/associations as well as to organize sensitization programmes for both men and women on the benefits of reproductive health. The study concluded that a blend of conventional media and traditional media can boost communication in rural and semi-urban areas, especially on health related issues of which reproductive health is a part. |
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