Addressing the information needs of informal carers in Malawi: a healthcare intervention based on co-creation
ISSN: 0022-0418
Article publication date: 19 June 2023
Issue publication date: 2 January 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to address the unmet information needs of Malawian informal carers. We report on a three-year project which we co-created with informal carers, medical doctors and NGOs with the view to disseminate health advisory messages.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was developed on the principles of co-production. The impact of our health advisory messaging approach was assessed through observations and questionnaire-based surveys for quality, clarity and usefulness.
Findings
The messages were disseminated beyond the local support groups and reached a much wider community via word of mouth. The messages also led to short and medium term benefits for informal carers and their loved ones.
Originality/value
Our findings highlight the importance of understanding the contextual conditions of informal caring and that of co-producing interventions with the people these aim to benefit.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This study received funding by the project “Provision of health-related training and education to support informal caregivers of people living with HIV in Malawi” (2020-21) and the project “Support network for informal caregivers of people living with HIV in Malawi” (2019-20) both funded by Research England QR GCRF. The authors would like to thank the local partners: the Chancellor College, MHEN, FOCUS, Baobab Health and BICO, without whose help and support this research would have not been possible. The authors would also like to thank the community chiefs, the support group leaders and particularly the many informal carers who agreed to share with the authors what it means to care.
Citation
Zamani, E.D., Sbaffi, L. and Kalua, K. (2024), "Addressing the information needs of informal carers in Malawi: a healthcare intervention based on co-creation", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 80 No. 1, pp. 131-157. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-12-2022-0264
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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