Factors that Influence Effective Communication of Messages in Antenatal Health Centre in Egor Local Government Edo State, Nigeria

Aim: Effectiveness in health messages communication is a sine qua non for pregnancy management and amelioration of complication during delivery. This study examines the factors influencing the communication of messages in antenatal health talks to pregnant women registered to attend antenatal clinics in Egor local government health centre, Edo State, Nigeria.

Study Design: The survey design was adopted for the study. Primary data was collected from the participants.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was done in Egor local government health centre, Edo State, Nigeria in 2016.

Methodology: Convenience sampling was used to select 50 pregnant women for the study. Information collected from them were analyzed and presented in frequency tables.

Results: Findings of this study showed that Majority (76%) of the women were less than 35 years old, married (80%) and literate (60%). The health education talk is often conducted in English language, however, only 20% claimed to have adequate understanding. Language of communication and clarity of message were the major barriers to understanding health talk. Preference for teaching aids and other methods of communication besides discussion such as role playing drama and songs was identified among the respondents.

Conclusion: The study recommends that the work of midwives in delivering health messages be facilitated via provision of appropriate teaching aids materials. Furthermore, health talks should be done in the language the client can best understand.