9. Stakeholders Perception of Current Health Education Situation under Ghana's Health Service

Abstract

Health Education is one of the critical eight essential pillars of the primary health care (PHC) adopted world-wide by WHO member countries in 1978. After over two decades of health education to support PHC implementation, the epidemiological profile of Ghana continues to be dominated by communicable diseases, and environmental sanitation is problematic in both urban and rural areas. Based on the health field concept, the behavioural and information diffusion theory, the paper provides a situational overview of health education in Ghana. Informants were health policy makers, managers, healthcare providers and the public, as they perceive health education delivery in healthcare institutions, schools, workplaces and communities. Quantitative and qualitative techniques including questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were employed to reach the target population. The paper concludes that despite its importance health education seemed to enjoy less support at policy, management, service providers and users of healthcare levels. However, it is a worthwhile and cost effective strategy that must be nurtured towards health promotion.