Community Health Promoters’ Knowledge and Practices on Case Management of Diarrhoeal Disease among Children Under 5 Years in Nomadic Communities of Northern Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47604/gjhs.3828Keywords:
Community Health Promoters, Nomadic Populations, Diarrhoeal Disease Management, Referral, Community Oral Rehydration Therapy, Zinc Supplementation Practices, Children Under 5 Years of AgeAbstract
Purpose: The study aimed to identify current diarrhoeal management practices among Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in Turkana West and Turkana Central Sub-Counties, assess their understanding of community case management of diarrhoeal disease in children under five, and explore the acceptability of using mobile phone messages to improve knowledge of this approach.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study assessed knowledge and practices in diarrhoeal disease case management among 382 CHPs in Turkana County, Kenya. Functional Community Health Units (CHUs) linked to health facilities offering integrated Community Case Management (iCCM)were purposively selected. The study’s sampling frame was from the Ministry of Health (MOH) Community Health Promoters (CHP) master list. Selected CHPs were randomly sampled using the study’s inclusion criteria of CHPs who had served in the CHU for two or more years, owned a functional mobile phone, and consented to participate in the study. Data for the study was collected using researcher administered structured questionnaires, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guides, and Key Informant Interview Guides. The data collection tools were pretested for clarity and reliability. Descriptive statistics and regression models were used in the analysis of the data, with a significance level of α = 0.05.
Findings: 57.8% of the CHPs had moderate knowledge of the causes of diarrhoea. 49% correctly identified community and household practices that prevent diarrhoea in children under 5. 48.7% of CHPs poorly adhered to community case management guidelines of diarrhoea disease, including the use of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), referral of diarrhoea cases and Zinc supplementation. The study findings highlight the acceptance of mobile phone SMS messaging among CHPs, with 96% of CHPs considering it an appropriate method for acquiring knowledge of diarrhoeal disease management. Additionally, an average of 82% of study participants reported that SMS messages are convenient and reinforce health information, demonstrating their readiness to participate in SMS-supported interventions.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This study provides context specific evidence on the knowledge and practices of CHPs in managing diarrhoeal disease among nomadic populations in Turkana County, a population underrepresented in the mHealth literature. By grounding this study design in the Social Cognitive Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model, the study adds to the body of evidence on the acceptability of SMS supported training for reinforcing change in diarrhoeal management practice among populations with limited resources and low literacy levels. The study findings provide insights for designing CHP interventions aligned with Kenya’s iCCM guidelines. For policy, the results of the study support the integration of mobile phone messaging into Kenya’s Community Health Strategy.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Leticia Cindy Buluma, Prof. Isaac Mwanzo, Dr. Harun Kimani, Anthony Kabarita, Dr. Malkia Moraa Abuga
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