AN APPRAISAL OF THE USE OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION IN PROMOTING ESSENTIAL FAMILY PRACTICES AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study appraised the use of interpersonal communication in promoting Essential Family Practices (EFP) among women of reproductive age in Anambra State, Nigeria. Given that both a mother and her unborn child face increased risks of illness and death if she becomes pregnant before the age of 18 or after the age of 35, the study is predicated on the idea that EFP should be a universal health policy under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Grounded in the Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI), the study aimed to determine whether respondents were familiar with the use of interpersonal communication strategies to promote and scale up EFP, and whether the campaign had a significant impact on respondents’ attitudes towards EFP. A total of 398 women of reproductive age were randomly selected from the population of women in Anambra State, located in Nigeria’s South East, using quantitative survey techniques. The total population of the study area was 2,281,688. The researcher used a questionnaire as the research instrument, and results were presented in simple frequency distribution tables. Findings revealed a significant correlation between interpersonal communication and the promotion of EFP among respondents, as well as a significant positive relationship between interpersonal communication and the practice of Essential Family Practices. It is therefore concluded that interpersonal communication plays a crucial role in health promotion. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that interpersonal communication in health programmes should be strengthened and complemented with other participatory communication paradigms to achieve policy objectives.