The Interaction of Different Information Sources Regarding Breast Cancer among Rural Women in Kenya: The Case of Kesses Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

There is paucity of research investigations on the sources of breast cancer information among rural women, preferred sources and the interaction of this information sources. This study therefore, investigated the interaction of these different information sources regarding breast cancer among rural women in Kenya. This study was anchored on the convergence model by Lawrence Kincaid. It employed descriptive survey design, which made use of the questionnaire, focus groups and interview schedule to achieve the objectives of the study. The objectives were; to examine the various sources of breast cancer information, to determine the preferred breast cancer information sources, to examine reasons behind the choice of preferred choice(s) and to find the interaction process of breast cancer information sources among the rural women in Kesses sub-County. The total number of subjects examined in this study was 284, of which 272 were questionnaire respondents and the extra twelve were interviewed. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select the respondents in Kesses sub-County, Tulwet and Megun wards. According to the findings, the majority of the respondents (97%) indicated that there was interaction between mass media and group sources whereas (95%) said interaction exist between mass media and interpersonal sources. The study also revealed that information sources such as mass media and interpersonal channels were crucial health communication carriers for breast cancer interventions.