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Experiences of Visually Impaired People Regarding Communication against Alcohol Abuse in Kenya

Abook Brian*, Abraham Kiprop Mulwo, Fredrick Njoroge

Purpose: This study explored the experiences of the visually impaired people in Kenya regarding Communication against alcohol abuse. On average, only about 10% of all communications from health services to the visually impaired participants are received in their preferred reading format. Little attention has been put on the specific aspects of information and media literacy suitable for disabled people, specifically for blind and partially sighted individuals.

Methodology: This study adopted phenomenological research design and took a qualitative approach. Qualitative research method was used to generate and analyze data. In that case, through using purposive sampling procedure, 25 Visual impairment participants were identified from rehabilitation centers and institutions for the PWDs in Nairobi County Kenya. Through in depth interviews, data was generated, recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. The data presentation was made in narrative form as per the themes.

Findings: Findings indicated that many alcohol treatments and prevention messages are available through visual media; hence the visually impaired patients lost their autonomy by depending on friends and family for interpretation and decision making. In the clinics, their privacy was lost when the healthcare personnel had difficulties communicating with them and sought assistance from their family, friends or caregivers. The visually impaired patients felt stereotyped, and there was a widespread belief that the visually impaired could not make independent and correct decisions. As a result of the barriers presented, most visually impaired patients suffering from alcohol addiction had low self-esteem and faced the risk of missing treatment for alcohol abuse and rehabilitation.

Research Implications and limitations: Scarceness of the visually impaired with alcohol addiction was a potential limitation in this study; thus, purposive sampling was preferred. Additionally, since this research is qualitative research, it focused on gaining as much data as possible from a comparatively small sample size. It is a more flexible approach considering our study sample because it enables the participants to express themselves while providing data.

Social Implications: This paper highlights the need for user centered interventions when developing alcohol abuse prevention interventions in Kenya.