Youth Awareness and Health Communication During COVID-19: Evidence from an Informal Settlement in Kibra, Nairobi
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19349594Keywords:
Youth awareness, Health communication, COVIF-19Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented global health and communication challenges, particularly in densely populated informal settlements. This study examines the awareness levels of youth in Sarang’ombe village, Kibra, Nairobi County, and explores how communication channels, information sources, and message types influenced their understanding and response to the pandemic. Guided by the Uses and Gratifications Theory and the Health Belief Model, the study adopts a qualitative research design, utilizing focus group discussions and key informant interviews with youth aged 18–35. Findings indicate that youth actively engaged with multiple information sources, including social media, television, community health workers, and peer networks. While awareness levels were generally high, misinformation and inconsistencies in communication channels posed challenges. The study highlights the importance of participatory, youth-centered communication strategies and recommends strengthening community-based and digital health communication frameworks for future pandemics.
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