The use of reproductive health information material in the rural clinics of Umtata district.

Abstract

Though it appears that there has been a long history of development, distribution and dissemination of reproductive health information materials, impediments still exist in the health information, communication and education systems in South Africa. The aim of the study was to contribute towards improvement of the development, distribution and utility of reproductive health information material both in the Eastern Cape province and nationally. In-depth understanding of complexities surrounding development, distribution and utility of educational material is key to the provision of information to communities. The objectives were to describe the availability and examine the content, target groups, language and utility of reproductive health information materials. Qualitative study using non probability sampling was done. Ten rural clinics were conveniently selected. In-depth interviews, focus groups and a checklist were used to collect data. Reproductive health information materials found were mostly posters, there were no pamphlets, material on some reproductive health aspects was not available, inconsistently distributed and not updated. It was concluded that posters are available in the rural clinics of Umtata district judging from the results there is a need to improve the quality of reproductive health information material.