Maurice B Silali
Maseno University, Kenya
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Women's Health Care
Maternal and child health information forms cradle human right, that allow mothers to access quality and reliable health care hence decrease morbidity and mortality rates, aimed to be achieved in global goals number 3 and 17 of 2015 by 2030. Globally over 80% of community households have limited access to effective, reliable, efficiency and quality maternal and child health information, especially in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and depends solely on health professionals and community health workers (CHWs), as their main sources of health information, with large diversified society of demographic, socioeconomic and socio-cultural factors. The aim of this study was to determine factors influencing accessibility of maternal and child health information. Specifically to determine how health professions and community health workers influence accessibility of maternal health information, investigate association that exists between source of maternal and child health information received and health practices and establish how demographic and social cultural factors influence utilization of maternal health and child information among rural women in Kenya, using cross sectional and descriptive design. Cluster sampling design was used to identify study participants, mothers with children aged 0-11 months. Results showed that health professionals remain main source of health information (46.2%) followed by community health workers (32.9%), in Kenya, however, since CHWs are accessible and reliable sources in rural areas, they form most efficient community health linkages with health facilities, so it is important to empower.
Maurice B Silali is attached to the Department of Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Maseno University, Kenya. He is an Anatomic Technologist with Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) and Higher National Diploma in Histopathology & Cytopathology and Post basic Diploma in Health Service Management and Administration from Kenya Medical Training College, (KMTC) Nairobi in 2007, BCHD & MCHD from Great Lakes University of Kisumu and recently completed PhD in the School Public Health and Community Development in Maseno University. His research interest is mainly on innovative community health science for health planning and policy management. He has published 11 research papers in reputable journals and he is also serving as a Reviewer in renowned journals. He is the author of 1 published university academic books.
