Use of Songs in Health Campaigns: The Case of ‘Fight Against Malaria’ in Rachuonyo East, Homa Bay County 2021-2022

Abstract

The study sought to investigate the use of songs in health campaigns. This was a case study of ‘fight against malaria’ campaign in Rachuonyo, Homa Bay County. The specific objectives included use of songs, efficacy of the songs, and the challenges when using songs in the fight against malaria campaign. The study was anchored on the Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) approach, and supported by Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), as the theoretical foundation. This study used a mixed method approach and descriptive research design. The target population was 612 mothers who had received either pre- or post-natal care between November 2021 and April 2022 and 23 health communication officers. The sample size included 183 mothers and 6 health communication officers which was 30 percent of the targeted population. The respondents filled semi-structured questionnaires which were later analysed. The findings showed that the songs were used to attract large crowds through caravans and roadshows, who came and listened to the songs that had health messages on the fight against malaria. The results also show that songs were effective in passing the health messages because of wider reach, use of local language for ease of comprehension, reach to even the illiterate people and repetition - all helped in remembering of the message. The study identified some challenges in using songs in health campaigns, such as the inability to reach target group that lacked devices, sidelining of some groups that do not like to listen to music, miscommunication from using slang and sheng wording that distorted the message about the fight against malaria. It was concluded that use of songs in health campaigns have helped in creating awareness and reduction of malaria cases in Rachuonyo, Homa Bay County. The study recommended use of songs in the local dialect in the campaigns, the county needed to have regular health campaigns to remind the residents to continue the good habits in the fight against malaria. The communication officials are also asked to scrutinize the words and its meanings to convey correct information during the health campaigns in the fight against malaria.