A Preliminary Study on Health Literacy among Kenyan Mothers in Relation to Parenting

Abstract

Objective

  This preliminary research aims to explore health literacy among Kenyan mothers by examining their parenting perceptions. The findings will inform specific aspects of their health literacy.

Methods

  Semi-structured interviews incorporating the three levels of health literacy were conducted with Kenyan mothers residing in Japan, but who have parenting experience in Kenya, followed by inductive analysis. This research was conducted with the approval of the Ethis Committee of Japanese Red Cross College of Nursing.

Results

  The perceptions of Kenyan mothers regarding parenting were categorized into eight patterns: [strong parenting support for mothers], [encouragement of customary Kenyan parenting practices], [mothers’ decision-making in parenting], [sources of information beyond family and community], [discomfort with traditional parenting practices], [hope for children’s healthy and normal growth], [parents’ disappointment and acceptance of teenage pregnancy], and [beliefs in parenting]. Per Nutbeam’s three levels of health literacy, no functional health literacy was found in this study. Regarding interactive health literacy, the ability to communicate with and obtain support from older women was evident along with the ability to share knowledge within the community, recognize traditional practices, and make decisions by selecting relevant information in terms of critical health literacy. Additionally, it is also suggested that cultural beliefs and values may have influenced mothers’ health literacy.

Conclusion

  From the perspective of parenting perceptions, Kenyan mothers exhibited aspects of interactive and critical health literacy. These findings will serve as foundational data for more detailed examination of health literacy among Kenyan mothers in the local context.